When students are faced with challenging words, it’s essential they have the tools to break the words apart. Through explicit phonics instruction and word work, students can develop the essential skills they need to identify common phonics and spelling patterns within words.
Students need to be able to identify word parts, as well as the phonics and spelling patterns, in order to successfully decode challenging words. These words are often multisyllabic words, so learning syllable types is also extremely important.
The Phonics and Spelling Word Work Mat is the perfect tool for helping students practice these skills!
Introducing the Phonics + Spelling Word Work Mat
The Phonics and Spelling Word Work Mat is designed to help students analyze words for common phonics and spelling patterns such as short/long vowels, vowel teams, syllable types, blends, digraphs, and diphthongs. With these word work mats, students break apart words into their word parts, like compound words, prefixes, suffixes, and root words which will help them to read multisyllabic words.
This resource is similar to my Daily Phonics word work pages; however, it’s editable and has a deeper focus on specific syllable and grapheme patterns. Use this activity for explicit practice with spelling patterns or to help students break apart words they get stuck on while reading and writing. The word work mats are perfect for small group instruction or remedial instruction with any phonics or Orton Gillingham based program.
Using the Word Work Mat
With the print or digital version, students can practice identifying syllable types and common phonics patterns such as digraphs, diphthongs, and vowel spellings. Students can build confidence and the foundation they need to independently and successfully decode longer words!
Once students have prior knowledge of spelling and syllable patterns, you can add this Phonics and Spelling Word Work Mat to your teaching toolbox. Use it daily with your phonics program, or pull it out when students come across words they get stuck on. It’s perfect intervention for students who have difficulty decoding multisyllabic words on their own.
Print Version
Print the word work mat for students to use in the classroom. Copy one page for each word you want the students to break apart, or create a reusable word work mat for each student by laminating or using sheet protectors. If using these mats for literacy centers or small groups, you may wish to use these dry erase pockets (affiliate link), as well!
Once the word work mat is prepped, teachers, tutors, and parents can help students apply their knowledge of phonics to analyze, identify, and record the different graphemes, syllables, and spelling patterns that can be found within different words.
Digital Version
Virtual learners can use the digital resource to break apart challenging words, too. Using Google Slides, students will mark, divide, and code words using the different “drag and drop” tools. Editable boxes and moveable circles allow students to identify word parts such as prefixes, suffixes, and roots. Assign this word work mat to be completed remotely using Google Classroom or Seesaw, or project the word work mat during your virtual sessions to analyze tricky words together.
Additional Activities for Phonics Practice
Looking for additional activities to support your phonics instruction? Check out the entire collection of phonics resources in my shop or click the specific links below!
- Crunch + Munch is a strategy, assessment, and practice resource that helps students identify word parts within words. Help students break words apart into syllables or into different morphemes (units of meaning).
- Daily Phonics will give students the practice they need with identifying phonics patterns in words. Each month provides 20 word work mats (print + digital) for students to mark the phonics patterns they find.
- Phonics Color + Sort is completely prep free! Simply print and place in a daily center with some crayons and your students are ready to practice. The digital option allows you to assign via Google Classroom to use remotely or with personal devices in the classroom. Students will use Google Slides to color the phonics patterns.
- Clip It Task Cards provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge of common spelling rules. For each card, students will decide the correct spelling of words and then mark it with a clothespin. This resource also has a digital option for Google Slides.
- Build a Word Buddy Bags are simple to put together, and the ready-to-cut templates are quick and easy-to-use! Print, laminate, and then cut-out the letter tiles and word lists. Place the materials in a plastic bag or envelope for the students to use over and over again.
Still looking for more ideas to reinforce phonics skills? Check out my blog post: Phonics for Small Group Instruction!
