5 Phonics Word Work Ideas

I’m a big believer in getting kids engaged to keep them learning! Phonics/word work activities can become a little dull for readers as they’re simply repeating the same thing over and over again. One way to keep word work exciting is to use a mix of tools and activities. I wanted to share 5 different word work activities that you can use with any variety of phonics focused skills. After each activity, I included a video to show you the activity, in case you’re a visual learner!

2. Letter Boxes- Zoom! You will use letter boxes with the appropriate amount of letters for the words you are doing with your readers. Readers will be making words with different phonics patterns that match up to words in their text of the day. You can state the word and then have readers make the word within the letter boxes. Next step is to use a car to zoom through the word- while moving the car along the word, readers will state each sound and then read the entire word.

3. Switch It Up! You will begin with one simple word. That word will then have letters added to it or taken away until you get back to the original word. These words should be ones that your readers can write and decode successfully to keep the activity going, rather than making it too challenging. Each time a new word is stated, readers will write it down and then share what is different from the previous word. When all done with not more than 10 words, readers can go through and read the entire list of words written. If done on a whiteboard, you can have readers underline the letter that changes each time.

5. Sticky Note Reading! Prior to the group coming to the table, write a few words from the text on a sticky note. Place that sticky note on the front of the text. Have each reader silently read the words on their sticky note. While each reader is practicing their words, lean in to each reader individually, asking them to whisper read their words. Readers then need to find their words within their text. They can mark which page they found each word, on their sticky note. When everyone has finished, have each reader share one word with the group from their sticky note, that they can confidently read.