What Are CVC Words?

The acronym CVC refers to words made up of a consonant, vowel, consonant (in that order). 

Words like gum, cat, pen.  

Once students begin learning how to identify phonemes and blend sounds, CVC words become a layer of vocabulary they’ll add to their phonological awareness skill set. 

In this dominoes game, students will read each CVC word and connect it with its matching picture.

Build Reading Fluency with Our CVC Word Activity 

This resource can be used as a reading center activity, with your guided reading group, or as a full class activity to practice decoding and spelling CVC words. 

To play, the domino cards are shuffled and divided equally among players. One player lays a domino down the middle of the playing area. Students take turns matching the opposite end of the domino with the words and pictures that fit the sequence.

For example, if a player were to lay down the “sun | 🕸️“ domino. The next player would then play the domino with the ☀️ or the card with the word “web” adjacent to the word or image. Gameplay continues in this way until someone lays down their last domino, making them the winner.

Your Whole Class Can Match CVC Words with Pictures!

Looking for ways to extend your students’ learning with this activity? Try these alternative ideas to play with your class. 

Scoot Activity

Get your class up and moving around while they get in some CVC word practice! Place 3 sequential cards at each station. Student pairs will rotate through each station, placing the cards in order. Students can keep track of their answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Swat! 

During small group instruction, create a grid of cards on top of a table, ensuring there are no matching picture cards for each word. Give each student a fly swatter. Read the word side of the domino and have the students swat the card. The first student to swat it correctly sets the card aside in their own pile to keep score. The student with the most dominoes wins. 

Fast Finisher Independent Play

This game can be played single-player as a reading center activity. If you would like to check the students’ work, ask them to write the sequence they come up with on a separate piece of paper.

Check out more dominoes games here! 

CVC Word Game Scaffolding & Extension Tips

Challenge fast finishers to put the words side of the cards in alphabetical order. Then, have them put the picture side of the cards in alphabetical order. 

Invite students to use a visual reminder such as an alphabet chart to sound out words they may struggle with. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print the task cards on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all game parts in a folder or large envelope. 

Before You Download

Use the drop-down icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. An answer key is also included with this download.

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This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

 

We’ve got CVC word activities galore! Check out a few of our favorite student-approved activities below: