More About This Resource
These NO PREP, printable and digital word ladder activities are aligned to the science of reading and will help kindergarten, first and second grade students the master phonics skills and spelling patterns you teach. This resource includes 42 word chains / ladders that can be used all throughout the year. They make an engaging independent literacy center and a meaningful phonics activity for small group instruction. They make a great addition to any word study routine.
These word ladders require students to think critically to figure out the next word to build using the letter or picture clues. They change just one letter to build a new word. As they manipulate the phonemes, students receive immediate feedback using these self-checking phonics activities.
⭐SAVE TIME!! This NO PREP resource has been PRELOADED for you, with 1 click add them to your Seesaw library or Google Drive, then assign to your students!
This resource includes both printable and digital word ladders that will last you the entire year! The digital version has a slider for students to self-check their work. Also included are answer keys to print out and keep in a basket for students to be able to self-check while working on the printable worksheets (color & b/w included).
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42 color Word Ladders -laminate or put in sheet protector for instant literacy center
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42 black & white student printables
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42 Google Slides digital word ladders with self check
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42 preloaded Seesaw word ladders with self check
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short a
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short e
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short i
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short o
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short u
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mixed review short vowels
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l blends
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r blends
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s blends
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final blends
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ch, sh
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th
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ng, nk
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CVCe a_e, i_e
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CVCe o_e, i_e
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CVCe u_e
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ai, ay
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ee, ea
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oa, ow
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_y, igh
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ar
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er
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Ir
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or, ore
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short oo
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long oo
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ow
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ou
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oi, oy
See what other teachers are saying about these Word Ladders / Word Chains Phonics Activities:
“Fantastic resource. Multiple uses. Aligned with the science of reading. Excellent use with small groups and independent work. Definitely recommend.”
“I love using word ladders with my students as an intervention activity, a practice activity, or just for a fun workshop! They are great for students at all levels and are lots of fun!”
“My students loved these! I have found word chains to be very effective for struggling readers. I love the different levels of difficulty, which allows me to challenge the students who find word chaining easy.”
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Angie P. –
These are great! I used them in small groups each week.
Brieann B. –
Worked well and was easy to modify to meet the needs of my students. Thanks!
Tiffany D. –
I love how this has the option to be done electronically or using a paper. Very useful for students learning phonics skills.
AKPryor –
This resource is great for use during small skill groups in my structured literacy classroom.
Emily Fratzke –
There are so many pages available that really reach a wide range of learner needs.
Wendy B. –
My students loved this! Thanks for such a great resource!
Debby B. –
This resource makes it so easy to do word ladders. In the beginning of the year we do them together, but eventually my students could do it independently.
Katrina Y. –
Great resource, easy to use, students enjoy it, thank you!
S is for Second Grade –
I use these in my small groups to help with decoding and spelling. My kids love them!
Kim C. –
A great way for me to identify students that may be struggling with sound-letter correspondence and a great data tracking tool.
Heather L. –
I love these! Students enjoy writing the words and changing one letter to make new words.
Sharina H. –
Once I learned about word ladders I knew I had to buy this product. My kids love to do these and are able to think through deleting, adding substituting sounds to make the different word on the ladder.
alicia D. –
I use these in my small group. The students like them and are easy to use.
Sara P. –
This has been such a helpful tool to use with my students during Foundational Skills and phonics time!
Creating In Color –
Love these for my small group centers. Thank you so much for creating them!
Breanne C. –
Excellent resource that aligns well with our state standards! My students really enjoyed using it!
Lori E. –
This resource has saved me so much time planning the word work section in my guided reading groups!
Kelin M. –
Very happy with the product! An easy to prep literacy center aligned with UFLI and SoR.
Kristin R. –
My students love these for our “Word Ladder Wednesday” warm up activity to start our small group activities. It’s a great independent and small group activity for manipulating sounds and working with words!
Sarah Gray –
This was a great resource to provide extra practice for my students who are struggling.