PHYSICAL PRODUCT
Phonetic Word Cards
Combines well with
Phonetic Word Cards
Once students start reading, they want to read everything! Before they're ready for books, they need lots of practice with single words. Our phonetic word cards give them just that: 40 words that can be sounded out, each printed in pink and blue to match the movable alphabet.
There are no pictures, so students rely on their decoding skills alone. They sound out each word silently, then say it out loud. Students can read the cards on their own or take turns reading them aloud with a friend. Introduce these after the phonetic object box and our phonetic 3-part cards.
What's included
- 40 cards, each with one phonetic word printed in pink and blue (the same color-coding as the movable alphabet)
- Cards are approx. 5½" x 1¾"
- Eco-laminated with a food-grade laminate and rounded corners
- Sturdy, clear reclosable bag for teacher storage
- Lesson plan included
Add on a long cloth pouch for a beautiful way to display the cards on the shelf.
When students are reading these with ease, move on to our phonetic activity cards game.
Created by a Montessori teacher. Eco-printed in our rural New England office.
Made in the USA. CPSIA compliant.
Watch a phonetic word card lesson
See how to present phonetic word cards to beginning readers.
Why do phonetic word cards matter for reading?
We need to practice reading for it to become easy and automatic. With 3-part cards, the pictures help students figure out each word. Phonetic Word Cards increase the challenge by taking that support away. Because every word can be sounded out, beginning readers succeed, and each success makes them want to read more.
How do you use phonetic word cards?
Show the student how to sound out a word silently, then say it out loud. Then invite the student to read the cards alone or take turns with a friend. As an extension, use the cards for "dictation": one student reads a word card aloud and the other builds the word with the movable alphabet. They can then compare the word they built with the card and fix any differences. This lets students refine their spelling naturally.
What ages is this for?
Typically ages 3 to 6, once a student can read phonetic words with object or picture support. They also work well for older students who need decoding practice, English learners, and intervention settings.
How should I display phonetic word cards?
Instead of putting out all 40 cards at once, we like to choose 8 to 10 at a time and display them in one cloth pouch. Every week or two, we swap them for 8 to 10 others to keep interest high. If you'd rather have all the cards out, use five pouches with about 8 cards in each.
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