If your classroom is anything like mine, you spend a LOT of time working on CVC words. Reading, writing, tapping, mapping… all the phonics practice. As we know, being able to read and spell CVC words fluently is an important stepping stone into multisyllabic words, blends, and digraphs. However, all that practice can sometimes get a bit… monotonous. If you are looking to spice up your CVC word practice and literacy centers I have just the thing for you!
Your students are going to love these mystery picture activities and so will you! Read on to see how I use them in my own classroom, plus a FREE sample!
Whole Group Practice
I typically use my mystery picture activities as a literacy center, however they are excellent for small group practice or even sub plans!
These make the perfect center activity because not only are they engaging, they are self-checking! A win-win for both student and teacher. Since my center time is after direct phonics instruction, I like to frontload my students with the words they will be seeing in the puzzles.
While we are using our whiteboards, magnets, or letter cards to practice CVC words as a whole group I use the words from the puzzle. I love doing this because I don’t have to come up with random CVC words on the fly for practice! (You don’t need to do this, but I find it helps.)
After whole group practice, this would be a great time to have all your students complete this activity together if you do not have independent literacy centers built into your day!
Independent Center Time
During center time my students are expected to complete the puzzle independently. I have them cut and glue the pieces just one at a time as I have found this cuts down on missing pieces. If they don’t finish before time is up, then they also don’t need to keep track of multiple little squares.
After they have cut out their piece they tap out the CVC word, then find the picture that matches. Once they are finished, the pieces should reveal the mystery picture! Students are able to quickly see if they are right and make corrections if needed. This allows me to have uninterrupted time with my small groups and for them to practice their independent working skills. Who doesn’t love that!?
These can easily be a year-long center by focusing on different skills – beginning sounds, letter recognition, and CVC words.
Want a FREE sample to try with your class? Grab it HERE!
Scoop up these Mystery Picture Puzzles to try with your class – I promise you won’t look back! Perfect for independent centers, small groups, or sub plans! Grab the CVC Words version HERE or the Beginning Sound version HERE!
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