Create a Word Chain, One Phoneme at a Time!

The ability to distinguish and manipulate the distinct sounds in words is a fundamental aspect of phonemic awareness.

This worksheet provides students with the opportunity to manipulate phonemes in order to create a continuous word chain. Starting with the targeted “start” word, students follow the directions to manipulate the phonemes in the word to generate a new word. This process continues and a word chain is formed.

Once the students have created their word chains, they are encouraged to read the word list to themselves or to a peer. There are stars at the bottom of the worksheet for students to color each time they read their word chain aloud.

All of the CCVC words included on the worksheet require the students to blend the letter l at the beginning of the word. The short vowel sounds for a, e, and i are represented in the word chain.

Easily Differentiate for Your Students

There are two differentiated versions of the worksheet included in the download.

• Version 1: No scaffolding is provided. The students simply write the new word created each time on the line provided.
• Version 2: Sound/letter boxes are provided, showing all the letters/sounds in the new word (other than the phoneme that is changing).

Additional Uses of This Word Chain Worksheet

• Ask students to select 3-5 words from the worksheet to include in a short story.
• Ask students to create word families using a selection of words from the worksheet.
• Challenge more capable students to create their own word chain for a partner to solve, using the worksheet as a guide.

Easily Download & Print

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

As this resource contains an answer sheet, we recommend you print one copy, then photocopy the desired number of worksheets for your class.

You might also like to print a few copies on cardstock, then slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse. 

This resource was created by Alessandra Pastor, a teacher in Massachusetts and a Teach Starter collaborator.

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more great teacher-created resources for your students to practice working with phonemes.

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