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.”














Natalie P. –
My students loved doing this! It’s a great activity for those students who can already spell at the beginning of the year.
Christine P. –
Loved this for SeeSaw! Thank you!
Beverly K. –
Easy to use and ready to go
Susan U. –
My students enjoyed using this activity to review -r controlled vowels.
Megan Lystila –
Very interactive! I used on the smartboard as kids followed along with their own copy. Thank you!
Christina –
Great idea, thanks for sharing Megan!
Chocolate Kisses and Penny Wishes –
I love word ladders! It’s nice to have a digital copy similar to the paper ones I have used for years!
TheCheeringTeacher –
I am so excited to use this with my students on their distance learning days. I am still trying to do center rotations on their home days so this is going to be such a useful tool to help me facilitate rotations! Thanks for this product!
Kelly N. –
This was so easy to place in Seesaw and the kids love it.
Alecia W. –
Fun resource to use for phonics and vowel teams
Cynthia B. –
My students love these! Thank you!
Bonnie D. –
Thanks, very helpful during distance learning!
Cathie W. –
Good Resource!!
Sandy E. –
This resource is awesome for teaching students how to substitute letters in words to create new words. Some students really struggle with this concept but these word ladders make it so easy with all the great visuals. The students also love checking to see if their answers are correct. I like the ability to print the activity on paper to use as an assessment for the students. Thank you for creating and sharing your resource.
Melissa G. –
Wonderful resource that was engaging for my students, thanks!
Leigh V. –
I love that these activities are already created in Seesaw and I could save them with one click.
Leslie R. –
Kids enjoyed making new words
Christina W. –
I use these for centers for extra resource for ELA
Amanda G. –
Thank you!
Megan Mobley –
Word ladders are awesome ways to practice phoneme substitution. I was so happy to see a digital version!
Teresa Shepherd –
Great activity to do for a center!