The deck contains 52 color-coded cards with onsets and rimes. Each card is labeled at the bottom indicating the phonics skill. The set includes initial consonants (onset), initial blends (onset), beginning digraphs (sh, ch, qu), and vowel teams. Students use the cards to mix and match onset and rime cards to practice decoding.

HOW TO USE Build A Word Cards

The cards can be used with students individually, in small groups and as a whole class. Another option is to punch a hole in the top corner to put cards on a ring separated by color. Students can flip through to make words.

Match and Read: Make two piles (onset and rime). Flip over one card from each pile. Read the word. Decide if it’s a real word or a nonsense word. If it is a nonsense word, flip a new card from one of the piles until you create a real word. Students can record their real words on a sheet of paper or a dry-erase board to practice their writing skills. 

You can also play Match and Read as a whole class. Pass out cards to students. They can walk around and match onset and rimes. Students can see how many different words they can create with their card and record on paper. 

Memory: Lay cards facedown (6 onset and 6 rime). Students take turns, flip one card over from each side. Read the word. If it is real, keep it. If not, flip it back over. Students can record their real words on a sheet of paper or a dry-erase board to practice their writing skills.

Automaticity Drill: Make two columns. Put all onset cards face down and all rime cards face up. Flip over one onset card. This is your target card. Now take the deck of rime cards and match each one to the target card, creating a new word for each card in the rime deck. Once complete, repeat with the next onset card.