As beginning readers learn letter sounds and blending, they also start to notice patterns within words. Looking for patterns in words helps emergent readers start to gain confidence as they identify CVC word families and become more fluent. One way to work on word families is to play fun games, like this free printable Ice Cream Sundae Word Family Game!
*Keep the CVC word family fun going and grab the WHOLE pack of Word Family Sundae Games!
Ice Cream Sundae Word Family Game
When learning to read, children do not need to know all of their letter sounds before they can start blending. For example, if your student knows the letter sounds for m, s, r, t, p, c, and a (and shows that they are ready to practice blending sounds together) they can read mat, sat, rat, pat, and cat!
In other words, they know their ‘-at’ word family!
How to Prep
This download includes the Ice Cream Sundae Word Family Game covering 6 different ‘short a’ word families! You can choose to print in color or black and white to save ink.
To prep the game, cut out the bowls and ice cream scoops. I laminated all of the pieces to keep them sturdy. This meant we could play multiple times and the game would hold up.
Print out the optional recording sheets if you would like your students to record their work.
Teacher Tip: Print the game on colored cardstock to make the pieces stand out while still saving ink!
RELATED RESOURCE: CVC Word Family Fluency Passages for Early Readers
How to Play
To play, spread the word family bowls out on the table. Then add all of the ice cream scoops to a small bowl. You could also place them in a pile. Students pick an ice cream scoop and read the word aloud.
Next, they look at the 6 word family bowls and add the scoop to the bowl with the matching word family. They can “place the scoop in the bowl” in a stack, group, or however they want!
We also included an optional recording sheet for kids to write the words for each word family after the scoops have been sorted.
Your kids will have a blast learning ‘short a’ word families with this super engaging word family game!
Grab Your FREE Copy
Ready for some “sweet” learning fun without the calories? Get your free Ice Cream Sundae Word Family Game by clicking the large, yellow download button at the end of the post!
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11 Responses
my child is in first grade and we still use ideas like this to refresh his vocab especially now that he has so much reading to do. he recognizes his cvc words so easily! i love this
Marian,
Thank you for sharing! We’re so happy you love this resource. 🙂
My grandson and I have been learning and laughing! Thank you so much!!
Thank you for these, wonderful Center, small group or independent activity for those early finishers!
So glad you will be able to use them Mary! 🙂
Thank you! My kiddos will enjoy this for our last 4 days of school.
You are so welcome Jan – glad they will enjoy it! 🙂
This activity is great & my small group kinders will love it! 🙂
I am so glad Tracy! I hope they do love it! 🙂
Thank you. The child I am tutoring is going to love this activity
What a fun way to practice reading and CVC words/word families!
Suzanne
Kindergarten Planet