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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Casey F. –
Love using word ladders for kids to strengthen their skills!
moira P. –
I used this resource to develop the skills covered in this unit.
Fran M. –
These are perfect for students to complete independently in the classroom. The self-checking answer keys were perfect once I taught my students how to use them.
All Students Can Learn –
Great resource to reinforce the lesson skills taught.
Heather B. –
This was a valuable resouce when teaching CVC words. Great to use in a center or in small group lesson. I like how some of them work on a single vowel sound, and others incorporate all of the vowel sounds into one activity.
Jennifer L. –
I love that I have this bundle. It’s well organized and requires students to apply what they are learning in class.
Sarah D. –
My students loved doing these word ladders. It is a great tool to have for students that are struggling with word families and short vowels. Sometimes we did the ladder with magnetic letters instead of writing.
Amy F. –
good literacy activity
Kathryn Leger –
I’m very happy with this educational resource! It is well-organized, easy to use, and thoughtfully designed to support student learning. The content is clear and engaging, making it simple to implement right away. I appreciate how versatile it is and how smoothly it fits into my lessons. This item has been a great addition to my classroom and I would definitely recommend it to other educators looking for a reliable and effective resourc
MsOlga D –
This is a great resource to use for intervention and to use for weekly practice in class.
Kaitlyn G. –
I do “Word Ladder Wednesdays,” and this resource has been so helpful!
Carol L. –
This is great to put in a literacy station or have in small group for practice to see if children understand the concept.
Barbara L. –
We love these! Great independent practice for students
The Unexpected Teacher –
This resource is perfect for my online students in tutoring!
Jody B. –
This has been a great extra activity for my students.
Jodie C. –
Great resource, I use it online with my tutoring students. This is wonderful!
Melissa M. –
This is a great critical thinking exercise for spelling. Gives the students a different way of thinking.
Toni G. –
Love the clean and simple visuals. Great research based activity to help deepen students phonics skills.
Hooray Learning – Resources & Crafts –
I love that I was able to find these in a set. Good sound awareness practice for my students.
Samantha L. –
I absolutely love this resource and the fact that it is also available in a digital format is awesome. I highly recommend.