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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Lauren G. –
I laminated these and put them in page protectors. Students enjoyed having them as an option when they were a fast finisher.
Katharine G. –
Great resource and fun to use. Thanks so much for sharing!
kirstie B. –
Supports encoding skills for early readers. Great way to practice skills being taught in the classroom.
Mallory H. –
This is fantastic for my kindergarten small groups. It works as a quick start to our lesson, and it gets kids thinking from the very start.
Jessica M. –
This was a wonderful resource that was easy to implement and use with my students. Everything was organized clearly, and it fit perfectly into my lesson plans. Thank you for creating and sharing!
Rebecca P. –
Excellent for use in small groups or as independent work.
Katherine S. –
My students love these word chains! I love that the inages allow them to work in these independently.
Micheal Nolan –
This is a great recourse to use as either morning work or independent work.
Arlene L. –
My class has been working on making new words. These ladders took a bit of extra work since you change a grapheme and not just a single letter. It was good for the students who needed an extension activity to challenge their skills.
Sarah Haggard –
This is so fun! My four-year-old loves these exercises.
Leilani K. –
My students love using this resource in small groups and center time!
Lee Anna S. –
Students enjoyed this resource. It was very useful.
Angie C. –
Word ladders are a great resource for independent practice
Karen B. –
Word ladders are always a big hit in my class. These were no exception. A lot of fun!
Niki’s Niches –
great center resource for CVC review, my students always enjoy word ladders.
Regina L. –
I have used this during my intervention time. Great with my small group…good for all levels. My students enjoyed this. Will use them often!
Morgan C. –
This has been great for getting my lowest learners thinking and writing each day. They are willing to do this as it is just writing one word at a time.
Amanda H. –
This is exactly what my struggling 1st grade readers needed!
Dillon S. –
My students LOVE word ladders. We use them in centers, small groups, whole group… I love how there are a variety of skills included in this resource! It makes it easy to differentiate.
The Primary League –
These word ladders are fantastic! The students truly benefit from practising the various phonics patterns in this format. Thank you!