Word building is something that is crucial in learning throughout a child’s entire school career. It’s even essential late into adulthood! The best part about word building is all of the interactive activities that come along. Helping to make it more fun and engaging for our youngest learners to our oldest.
It can be challenging to develop activities that fit well with each age group, which is why we’re here. In this list, you’ll find multi-sensory phonics word-building activities for students of all ages.
Provide a range of materials that provide excellent practice. Not only spelling practice, but most are also an ideal resource for motor practice as well. Whichever resource types you’re searching for, the following 18-word building activities are excellent practice for students.
Elementary Word Building Activities
1. Early Learning
The beginning years of word building are essential for children to develop word skills. Having plenty of interactive resources is one of the most vital aspects of helping students to develop those skills. This is an ideal resource for a whole class activity.
Learn More: Axelson Academy
2. Compound Words
Compound words are great for learning how to build words. Students must also get a firm grasp on these words during elementary school. Not only do compound words help to build student vocabulary, but they also aid in their confidence in reading longer words.
Learn More: The Balanced Literacy Diet
3. Alphabet Sponges
Alphabet sponges are a perfect literacy center activity. Have kids not only build words but also create some really great art pieces that can be hung around the classroom. Use vocabulary cards to have kiddos write words.
Learn More: Facebook
4. Vocabulary Blocks
Honestly, this is one of my favorite phonics word-building activities. This is great because it’s hands-on and is a totally independent word-building activity. You can easily create your own, simply download a free, blank dice template (like this one) and write the words or ending you want!
Learn More: Printable Board Games
5. Cup Letter Tiles
Are you trying to up your center time this year? Well, this might just be the activity for you. Instead of using center word building cards, create these cups at the beginning of the year. This simple hands-on activity will help build motor skills and work on word development.
Learn More: Facebook
6. Big Word Building
In upper elementary, engaging, hands-on activity time is essential. Using task cards, this activity will help students to be able to break down large words into different parts. Helping their brain development along with their problem-solving skills.
Learn More: Facebook
Middle School Word-Building Activities
7. Boggle
Boggle has been a favorite for years. Center activity – decoding style. Put your kiddos together or independent, and make it a fun competition. See who can build the most words out of their Boggle board. If you don’t have more than one Boggle game, you can simply print some here.
Learn More: Facebook
8. Interactive Word Walls
Word walls are great in middle school because they help students better comprehend and understand different vocabulary concepts. A simple hands-on activity like this interactive word wall will help students to watch as words are built.
Learn More: EL Education
9. Guess the Word
This fun activity is great for middle school and can really be used for any word list. This low prep center activity can be played as a whole class or in small groups. Write the word on card stock or use magnet letters to build it!
Learn More: McGraw Hill PreK-12
10. Scrambled Letters
This is an excellent activity for kids at the beginning of a class that involves building letters. It provides students with extra practice and gets their brains ready for the next activity. It can be a challenging or simple word activity depending on the class.
Learn More: Apptato Trivia & Word Games
11. How Many Times
Speed word building is a critical phonics activity that students should participate in throughout Middle school. Whether you use task cards to tell which word to write or read them aloud, students will love racing against each other and the clock.
Learn More: Chalkwell Hall Infant School
12. Missing Letters
This can be done using letter-building cards if you have enough time to prep! Or students can simply follow along with the video and write the letters in their vocabulary/spelling workbooks. Either way, this is excellent practice for spelling words in middle school.
Learn More: Info cluster 77_ Aliza Khan
High School Word Building Activities
13. Context Clues
Understanding and being able to decipher context clues takes lots of practice. It’s essential to provide students with both independent practice and plenty of practice during literacy centers. It can be challenging to find activities for older students, but this video lays out a few ground rules for them to follow.
Learn More: Khan Academy
14. Last Word Standing
Last word standing is an ideal resource for the High School classroom. This provides students with meaningful practice during English activities. This high-competition game will keep students engaged and ready to fight against their competition.
Learn More: MarcoOmnigamer
15. Flippity Word Master
Flippity word master is similar to the game known as Wordle. This challenging word activity is perfect for any grade but can be specially tailored to high schoolers. This game provides the building blocks for deciphering hard words.
Learn More: Flippity
16. Word Clouds
Creating a full-class word cloud is actually super fun. It’s become one of my student’s favorite activities. This activity for students is a way to get them up and moving while also building their vocabulary, background, and spelling skills.
Learn More: Zaidowda
17. 3 Picture Word Guess
Your high school students will actually find this activity much more fun than you may anticipate. Especially if you make it into a competition (face it, kids love a good competition).
Learn More: Direct Trivia
18. Pictoword
If your students have iPads, then Pictoword is a great game for them to play during centers or during downtime. It’s both addicting and also extremely challenging.
Learn More: Educational App Store
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