Criss-Cross Phonics Game
DO you want to work on phonics?
This might be a great resource for you! Kiddos LOVE games and if we can make learning fun, why wouldn’t we? Check out this free resource. Below we will tell you WHY we love it and HOW to play it. Once you read all about this amazing resource, click below to snag it for free!
Why We Love It
As teachers, we are always looking for resources that we can easily differentiate. We all know that at the beginning of the year, our students come in with an array of reading skills. One student could be just learning the short vowels, while another is one or two reading levels above their grade. This can feel overwhelming, so it’s important that the resources we use can be used by each child in the classroom. Enter: Criss & Cross!
The reason we love this game is because it covers a seriously wide-range of phonics skills - everything from short vowels to inflections and everything in between. This means that no matter where your students are at in their reading journey, you’re sure to find a Criss & Cross game that’s perfect for their level. Criss & Cross is a fun way for students to practice reading words in isolation, which helps with their decoding skills. There are many ways to practice reading words in isolation, but when you make it into a game that’s entertaining and engaging - that’s where the learning happens!
How to Play
Consider laminating this board game or slipping it into a pocket protector. You’ll need two different colored markers (or crayons, if it isn’t laminated) and one die.
Player #1 rolls the die and finds that number column. He or she reads one of the words of their choice that’s in that column and crosses it off.
Player #2 then rolls the die and follows the same steps.
Students take turns rolling, reading, and crossing off words.
A player wins by crossing off all of the words in one column, getting four diagonally, or by crossing off five across!
Strategy: Players can use their crosses to block another person’s game!
Alternative Play: If two students are playing but are at different reading levels, it’s okay to give one student one game board and another student another game board. Both students can play on their own game board, but the rules still apply: the first person to cross off all of the words in one column, across, or four diagonally on their own game board wins.
