In this version of the Memory game, students practice word recognition and word memorization skills. Print eight different sight words on two cards each to create matches. Once the cards have been shuffled and placed in four rows of four on the table, students will take turns trying to match the words.
One of the main goals of first grade reading is to have a firm grasp on a predetermined number of vocabulary words and know them on sight without having to sound them out. Create a stack of vocabulary flash cards you want your first grader to know. Once a week, set a timer for one minute to see how many words your student can read in that minute. Write down the number on the chart week after week. This encourages students to practice the words to increase their Mad Minute score.
Scrabble Slam is a game that focuses on phonics, but in a familiar scrabble way. Each player is dealt a certain number of cards and a four-letter starter word goes in the middle of the table to start the game. Young players take turns playing a card from their hand on the word in the middle to make new words. For instance, if the starter word is “lump,” a student could play the letter “p” to make the word “pump.” The next player could play a letter “l” to make the word “pulp.” The next player could play a letter “g” to make the word “gulp.” This process continues until players are out of cards or they reach a word that cannot be changed.
Write a set of action words on index cards. These words should include verbs students can perform as part of a race, such as: skip, hop, crawl and run. Divide teams up into groups of three or four students each and put a stack of cards for each team near the front of each team’s line. Give the first student a card. On the count of three, each student must perform the action toward a predetermined turnaround point and come back. At that time, the next student flips over a card and proceeds in turn.