These phonemic awareness games for blending and segmenting sounds will make blending and segmenting phonemes a blast, all year long!
Phonemic Awareness: How to Practice Blending and Segmenting
When I was teaching reading intervention, I knew the importance of phonemic awareness in learning how to read through phonics.
What I didn’t know was how to make that practice fun for my students. 🤷🏻♀️
Thus, so many phonemic awareness resources were born. (Yes, I spent my weekends making this kind of stuff! 🤓)
When it came time for students to practice blending and segmenting sounds, I was using Elkonin boxes.
Now don’t get me wrong, those definitely have their place.
But when you turn something into a game, it holds students attention longer and it motivates them.
It was close to Halloween, so I used candy themed clipart to make “pretty” Elkonin boxes.
Then, so that I didn’t have to think of words on-the-spot, I created word cards for words with 3 and 4 sounds.
(Just to avoid any confusion, I include teacher word lists for all of the picture cards)
Thus, the first ever Phonemic Awareness Game Mats for Blending and Segmenting were born!
The Blending and Segmenting Game Mats
I’ve had them for years, and as I had time, I would create blending and segmenting game mats and word cards for other themes and holidays.
As of 2021, I had Phonemic Awareness Blending and Segmenting Mats for October (candy theme), November (turkey theme), and December (red and green lights theme).
Phonemic Awareness Blending & Segmenting Game Mats: How to Play
These games can be played one on one, in tutoring, or with a small group.
Each student needs a blending and segmenting mat (AKA cute Elkonin boxes).
Then, the student or group needs a set of corresponding word cards.
In other words, if you’re using the 3 sound mats, you need the 3 sound picture cards. If you’re using the 4 sound mats, you need the 4 sound picture cards.
Students draw a card, say the word (picture), and then point to each section/box/dot, and say one sound as they tap.
After segmenting the sounds, students can slide their finger across as they blend the sounds.
And it worked!
The kids LOVED it.
And I loved that they were getting a TON of practice blending and segmenting phonemes. #missionaccomplished
I decided 2022 was the year I was finally going to turn these into a year-long bundle so that teachers and students could practice this essential skill year round.
But first, I improved on what I already had!
Word Mapping AKA Spelling and Writing Words
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know that I’m really big on phonemic awareness being “done in the dark.”
I still stand by that!
But, when it’s time to incorporate phonics and extend the learning, you have to include reading and writing.
Thus, I created worksheets for every set of themed blending and segmenting mats.
This way, you can easily differentiate for your students that are ready for word mapping, or putting a letter in each box to spell the word.
Choose the worksheet with 3 boxes per word (for 3 sound words) and 4 boxes per word (for 4 sound words) and let your students practicing writing words with three and four sounds.
Now you’re able to differentiate and use this phonemic awareness resource with students of ALL levels!
The Phonemic Awareness Blending and Segmenting Games GROWING Bundle
There are phonemic awareness game mats for blending and segmenting phonemes for every month of the year!
January – Penguins on Ice – Available Now
February – Chocolates & Hearts – Available Now
March – Rainbows & Gold Coins – Available Now
April – Peeps – Coming March 2022 or sooner
May – Caterpillar – Coming April 2022 or sooner
June – Hot Air Balloons – Coming May 2022 or sooner
July – Watermelon Seeds – Coming May 2022 or sooner
August – Books/School Supplies – Coming May 2022 or sooner
September – Sunflowers – Coming August 2022 or sooner
October – Candy – Available Now
November – Turkey – Available Now
December – Red & Green Lights – Available Now
SURPRISE Exclusive Bundle Bonus – Year Round Theme – Coming August 2022 or sooner
This will ONLY be available to bundle owners and won’t be listed anywhere else!
Special Bundle Buy-in Price
In total, this bundle is valued at $39.
However, I’m offering a special buy-in price of just $15 until February 4th!
If you purchase on or before that day, you’ll get to to download all of the “coming soon” themes at NO extra cost!
(Just download the files again on the dates listed above to get the new additions!)
That’s over 60% savings!
Purchasing the Bundle on Teachers Pay Teachers
Click HERE to purchase the bundle on Teachers Pay TeachersHow does a GROWING bundle work?
Purchasing a growing bundle means that you are “pre-ordering” some items at a discount before they are released. There are dates listed in the preview and description (see above) that outline when you can expect each addition to the bundle.
In order to get the additions:
• Log into TpT
• Go to “My TpT” -> “My Purchases”
• Choose: Sort by > Recently Revised; find product
• Click “download now” to download the product again. The new PDF will be in the zipped file.
What if I already own a part of the bundle?
If you already own an individual piece of the bundle, but now want to own the bundle instead, you can purchase the bundle and TpT will refund you the individual item you purchased. You must email TpT after purchasing the bundle and request a refund in order to get your money back for the individual item. You can email them here: support@teacherspayteachers.com
More Phonemic Awareness Resources
I’m so excited because I know your students are going to LOVE these games.
And you’re going to love that they’re having fun while building essential skills.
If you looking for more information about how to teach phonemic awareness, be sure to check out all of the phonemic awareness blog posts I’ve written by clicking here.
