Fun Literacy Games for Kindergarten and First Grade

Fun literacy games for kindergarten and first grade based on the Science of Reading! Non-seasonal games to practice phonics skills throughout the entire year!

The Science of Reading

The Science of Reading may be a phrase you are hearing frequently and working to implement into your kindergarten or first-grade classroom. If you are trying to understand how to start this implementation and shift your way of thinking, I highly recommend the book, Shifting the Balance by Jan Burkins and Kari Yates. A couple of months ago, these amazing authors were on one of my Facebook Live chats and they are truly inspirational!

Fun Literacy Games for Kindergarten and First Grade

According to Wiley Blevins (another amazing author of books about reading and phonics) explains that students may need additional time to truly master a phonics skills. These literacy games provide continued exposure and practice of phonics skills for kindergarten and first grade learners throughout the school year.

Buried Treasure Board Game

Since the games are non-seasonal, you can pull them out and use them with any group of students at any time of the year. Students will practice a plethora of phonics skills – uppercase and lowercase letters, beginning sounds, CVC words, beginning blends, CVCe words, and vowel teams.

Class Pet Board Game

I love that these games are predictable! I introduce the game in whole-group and model playing with a partner. Once I feel that students can play this game without my support, I move it into our literacy centers. With various non-seasonal themes, I can keep this game as a year-long center and it stays exciting with a new theme and various phonics skills.

How do students play?

It is simple! My favorite kind of game for early learners! Partner A begins by drawing a card for Partner B. Partner A say the picture name and Partner B identifies the beginning sound, beginning blend, or how to spell it (if it is a CVC word).

Then, Partner B begins to complete their response sheet.

Partner B rolls the die and spins the spinner to determine which way to move on the literacy game board. They move accordingly.

Then, Partner B draws a card for Partner A and the game continues!

We love these games!

Start practicing phonics skills all year long with this bundle of fun literacy games for kindergarten and first grade:

Science of Reading Board Games

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English Language Arts – ELA, Literacy Centers, Science of Reading, Blog Post

Deedee Wills

My teaching career allowed me to experience teaching in different classroom environments and grades. My heart belongs to early childhood education. My job is to make teaching FUN, ENGAGING, and EASIER. Welcome!