⚾ Batter Up!

Readers will step up to the plate to decode those slammin’ S blend words! 

Through this activity, students will show they can read words with S-controlled initial phonic blends. 

To play, students will place all the cards face down and take turns flipping two cards. If a player uncovers a match, they keep the cards. If not, they flip the cards over in their original spots. If a player flips a STRIKE OUT card, they lose all their collected cards.

Our S blends word list in this game includes:

Scaffolding + Extension Tips 

Support students who need help reading the words by orally reciting the sounds and having the students blend them. After reciting several words, have the students take over and blend independently. You can also slip the cards into dry erase sleeves and have students underline the blends in each word with an erasable marker.

If students are still struggling, review letter sounds together and provide more practice with phonemic awareness.

If the students have mastered reading S blends, challenge fast finishers to choose some of the words to use in sentences. 

Get our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies here! 

More Ways To Use These S Blends Game Cards

We created this resource for your reading center as an independent practice activity. We also suggest using it to reinforce your small group and full-class lessons in the following ways: 

⏰ Rhyme Time

Challenge students to find the word cards that rhyme. If a word does not have a matching card, students can think of a word that rhymes with it. 

😏 Snap 

Deal out all cards face down in a pile in front of each player. Players take turns flipping their top card face up starting a pile of cards next to their face-down cards. When a player flips a card that matches one already face-up on another player’s pile, the first person to notice the match yells “Snap!” and wins both their piles, placing the cards to the bottom of their face-down pile. if a player runs out of face-down cards, they flip their face-up pile over and re-use the cards. When two players shout “Snap” at the same time, the two piles are combined and placed in the center in a “Snap Pot,” and play continues. If someone spots a card that matches the card on top of the Snap Pot, they shout “Snap Pot!” and claim the cards. 

🐠 Go Fish

Shuffle the cards and pass out 7 to each player. The remaining cards go in the center of the play area. Taking turns, players ask each other for matching words in their hands.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

Before You Download

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. 

This resource was created by Lauren Piper, a teacher in Illinois and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Master those smashing S blends with these activities too! 

[resource:4709804]   [resource:4702602]   [resource:4704372]