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.”














Jessica R. –
My kids love these!
Julie Cloke –
The kids loved this resource. I had to add a few pictures with some of the words to help them know where to take the sounds.
Chelsea K. –
Very helpful
Theresa K. –
Great resource.
Mandi Z. –
I love that this ties in with the other phonics resources that I have bought from you. My students loved the clues and the challenge of figuring out each new word.
Christine W. –
My students find the word ladders challenging, yet fun. The word ladders have been a great way to practice the phonics sound of the day.
Mel L –
Thank you for a great resource!
laurie B. –
Thanks
Konstadina B. –
Fabulous activity. Students enjoyed it.
Melanie M. –
Great phonics practice!
Hillary B. –
This was a great resource. My only issue was in having to check ahead for some of the pictures. Sometimes the picture might not be explicitly clear if the language isn’t common.
Mariah H. –
Easy to use and a great independent activity.
Trina Williams –
A++ Resource for distance Learning!
candace M. –
I downloaded the slides to Seesaw. There are pictures missing from the word ladder activities. My first grade students would not be able to complete this without pictures.
Christina –
Hi Candace, Thanks for your purchase. For some of the slides there is not clipart available to represent every word so I have added letter clues. Did you notice that? Unfortunately in order to keep with the phoneme manipulation task this was the only way possible. You might be surprised that your 1st graders will rise to the challenge! 🙂 -Christina
Carol Beier –
This is a great resource. Very well done! The kids enjoyed the activities.
Michele G. –
Great for word work!
Stacey D. –
This is a great resource for virtual school. It is easy to provide differentiated word work activities through google classroom for independent practice.
casloan –
Great Resource. My students enjoyed it.
Margarita G. –
I used it with my small group zoom meetings and the students enjoyed it. It has been very useful. Thank you.
Shannon P. –
Great for distance learning! Perfect for practice!