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.”














allison B. –
These have been great for all levels of students. They are challenging and good practice for distinguishing vowel sounds
Cindy H. –
This is a great resource for science of reading based centers. The students loved to figure out the word pattern and how to change it. It is a well prepared resource that is easy to use in the classroom.
Primarily Playful –
I am tired of always searching my brian to try and find word lists- this as worth every penny!
Stephanie Y. –
This was a great resource to use for my students!
Angela R. –
These activities were practical and easy to use. I would recommend.
Sherry W. –
My students are so engaged when working with this resource.
Tea for Teach –
Love using these reading ladders to build phonics skills
Maia S –
My students enjoyed these word ladders and I enjoy the practice they received.
Eizabeth T. –
A challenge for my students but a great activity to get them thinking about words!
V N. –
This was a great resource to use during our Learning Centre Activities.
Thank you
Sarah K. –
So good to have a fun way to practice phonics work and to have different levels for each child.
Helen W. –
My students liked how engaging this product was. It was easy to use.
Angela H. –
My students loved using these fun and engaging word chains to practice decoding and encoding skills!
Step By Step Math –
Thank you. This is working very nicely for my SPED resource group.
Cindy Pawlowsky –
I love this resource! It is so helpful!! Thank you!
Krista J. –
My students were able to take away knowledge from this resource.
Laura F. –
This is an easy to use activity for small groups or as a literacy center.
Lindsay S. –
This resource was a great addition to my first grade classroom!
Jeni Parker –
This is a great resource for following the science of reading. I use this to target specific phonics skills with my first graders.
Angela P. –
Great resource to review sounds. Love how I can use the interactive on Seesaw.