Benefits of Using Phonics Games
I probably don't need to tell you that students love games. You already know that! But did you know that their effectiveness in teaching is actually science-backed? There are numerous studies out there that support "playful" learning in classroom settings.
High Engagement
Perhaps the most important and well-known benefit of games is that they boost engagement. I think we can all agree that a fun game is way more engaging than drill-style worksheets, right? Engagement is key to success, according to research cited in this article from the NAEYC. The article is geared towards teachers of infants through children aged 8 years old, and there is an entire section about the effectiveness of well-designed games to support learning and engagement. Make sure to take a look if you have time; there's a lot of great information covered.
Games Build Phonemic Awareness
The National Reading Panel has also emphasized that phonemic awareness is critical in developing the foundational skills required to become a strong reader. But you already knew that! Luckily, games will help you provide a way to allow students to listen, segment, manipulate, and blend letter sounds, all while playing!
Ample Practice Opportunities
Aside from engagement, though, games offer a way to get the repetition and practice needed to be successful in a fun way. No one wants to read the same word lists or use plain old flashcards over and over again. When we weave phonics skills into games, we're opening the door to fun in a way that allows us to get the repetitive practice needed for learning.
Social Learning
Part of being a primary teacher is fostering social learning. We want to build a strong classroom community full of children who can work as a team, solve problems, and be kind. Games allow your kids to interact, work together, and learn important social skills, all while strengthening their phonics skills.
So really, no matter how you slice it, phonics games truly are an all-star player when it comes to building and strengthening early reading skills. If you're ready to give these a go in your classroom, here are some ideas to try for specific phonics skills!
CVC Word Families
CVC Words are among the first phonics skills taught in the primary classroom and are so important! Why? This skill lays the foundation for decoding and prepares students for manipulating sounds in more complex word patterns. That being said, we'll need some great phonics games to make this more fun! Since this is one of the first things we work on, it's gotta be a show-stopper when it comes to engagement. I believe this sets the tone for phonics for the whole year.
That's exactly why I love the phonics activities in this CVC Word Phonics Games Bundle. There are tons of fun activities to choose from that will keep engagement high, boost motivation, and keep kids excited about learning. From word sorts to BUMP games to puzzles (and more), there's a little something for everyone.
Try using the games in this resource as part of your literacy centers in your classroom. Once the children know how to use the games, they can play independently or with a partner.
Silent E / Long Vowel Phonics Games
Sneaky e, silent e, or tricky e has a lot of names! One thing is for sure, though. . . This phonics skill can really trip students up! This is where phonics games will save the day! I love to use a whole group game like I Have, Who Has to practice long vowels, such as silent e. In this game, students each get a card and read it aloud. They have to listen carefully to know when their card is called, which makes it so great for practicing this skill.
They will hear the words over and over again as each of their classmates calls out the word they have. Plus, it's really fun to have a game that we can all play together. I like to use them when we have a few extra minutes to spare between time blocks, or right at the end of the day, before school is dismissed.
Memory Games are another great way to practice phonics skills in a fun way. Almost everyone knows how to play memory, so it makes the perfect center activity. Plus, it provides LOTS of practice reading words in one single game. Check out this huge bundle of memory games to find activities to practice silent e and more!
Beginning Blends Phonics Games
Beginning blends are a lot of fun, and this is likely when you'll start to see more of those decoding lightbulbs going off in your classroom. Reinforce this skill with a super kid-friendly game like Tic-Tac-Toe! This simple, classic partner game is a great way to prompt students to read words with beginning blends in a way that doesn't feel like learning at all!
These easy-to-prep Beginning Blends Tic-Tac-Toe Games are perfect for literacy centers, partner games, or morning bins. Just print and laminate for durability. Then provide students with plastic spinners, or have them use pencils and paperclips to spin. They'll find a word with the blend they spun and mark it on their card. There are 24 game boards included in this pack, so you will have enough to play as a class or use in small groups!
Vowel Teams BINGO
Vowel teams are extra tricky, so make sure to rely on an engaging phonics game like BINGO to carry you through! BINGO is a classroom favorite and will support your students in learning and practicing with vowel teams.
This set includes 30 different BINGO boards, so you can play with your whole class at once! I love group games, and so do the children! There are also 2 different versions included for differentiation, or to increase difficulty as your students master this skill.
I recommend printing these boards and laminating them, along with the calling cards, so you can use them again and again. Trust me, it's going to be a well-loved favorite in your room. There is also a black and white version that works great with BINGO daubers if you ever find yourself in need of a last-minute phonics game to fill some time!
Try a FREE BINGO Game!
Ready to give engaging phonics games a try in your classroom? Hooray! I've got a freebie just for you that I know you'll love. Click here to grab a FREE Long Vowel BINGO Game. This is a great way to test out one of my resources, and as an added bonus, you will get teacher tips, new blog posts, and more freebies sent straight to your inbox with my newsletter! Sign up now to get the free BINGO Game and more!
I know that once you start weaving phonics games into your lesson plan, you'll be hooked too! These activities will transform your teaching, boost engagement, and keep those kiddos excited about reading. Pretty great, if you ask me!
Looking for More?
Make sure to check Using Color by Code for Engaging Phonics Practice for more ways to strengthen early reading skills in your classroom!
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