{"product_id":"initial-blends-digraphs-board-game-christmas","title":"Initial Blends and Digraphs Board Game Christmas Theme","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInitial blends board game\u003c\/strong\u003e fun with a merry Christmas twist! With over 175 short-vowel blend and digraph word cards and a red and green light bulb game path, this Spell It! board game brings festive, hands-on phonics practice to your December literacy centers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePartners take turns reading and spelling CCVC words like sled, swim, slip and step, then spin to move along the holiday lights. (CCVC means consonant-consonant-vowel-consonant, like sled or swim.) Perfect for kindergarten and 1st grade, it is easy to prep and fun to play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWith this initial blends board game, you get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e175+ CCVC word cards featuring beginning blends and digraphs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA full-color Christmas game board with a light bulb path\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReading and spelling practice in every turn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA black-and-white version for low-ink printing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlay for 2-4 players, with a 2-player variation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMake December phonics lessons merry and bright!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull-color game board featuring a red and green light bulb path\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMatching spinner to determine movement after each turn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOver 175 CCVC word cards featuring initial blends and digraphs with short vowel sounds, with words such as blab, slab, slip, sled, step and swim\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrintable game pieces (or use your favorite mini erasers!)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack-and-white version for low-ink printing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTeacher instructions, suggested differentiation ideas and an optional file folder label for storage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo-player and group play options (ideal for 2-4 players)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Teachers Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReading and spelling together:\u003c\/strong\u003e One player reads each word aloud and the other spells it, so both partners practice every turn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLots of words:\u003c\/strong\u003e Over 175 word cards give plenty of practice with beginning blends and digraphs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect timing for the holidays:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Christmas lights theme keeps your blends unit going strong all through December.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow prep:\u003c\/strong\u003e Print the board, spinner and cards and you are ready to play.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInk-friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e A black-and-white version is included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible format:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it with 2-4 players, as a 2-player game or as a file folder game for small group rotations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSkills Students Practice\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePrimary Academic Skills\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpelling CCVC words:\u003c\/strong\u003e Children spell short-vowel words that begin with common blends and digraphs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeginning blends and digraphs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Children identify blends and digraphs (e.g., bl, tr, sn, ch, sh, th). A blend is two consonants whose sounds are said together, and a digraph is two letters that make one sound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShort vowel decoding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Children blend each sound to read the whole word.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhoneme-grapheme mapping:\u003c\/strong\u003e Children connect each sound they hear to the letters that spell it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReading fluency:\u003c\/strong\u003e Repeated reading of words with two-sound beginnings builds quick, confident word reading.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSecondary Life \u0026amp; Learning Skills\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTaking turns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListening to classmates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaiting during group play\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFollowing directions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCommunicating choices\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding confidence during group participation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Use It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep 1:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shuffle the word cards and place them in a stack face down. Each player places a game piece on the yellow ornament to start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep 2:\u003c\/strong\u003e The player to the left draws a word card and reads it aloud without showing it. The current player spells the word out loud or writes it down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep 3:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spelled correctly on the first try? The player spins and moves forward! Not quite? They stay in place and cheer on their friends. The first player to reach the purple ornament wins!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMaterials You'll Need\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrintable game pieces or mini erasers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEasy Differentiation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery reader is at a different place with blends and digraphs. This game is easy to adjust so each child can be successful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFor Children Who Need More Support\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse a small stack of cards with one or two blends at a time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead the word together before the player spells it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLet children spell by writing the word so they can see each letter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTap out each sound before blending the word\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFor On-Level Practice\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlay the game as written with 2-4 players\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMix blend and digraph cards in one stack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse the 2-player variation for partner practice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFor an Extra Challenge\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpell each word aloud without writing it first\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHave the player use the word in a sentence after spelling it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSort the cards by blend or digraph after the game\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFor Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePractice target blends and digraphs as children read each word\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHave children write the word to build letter formation and fine motor control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModel reading each word slowly, then have children repeat it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGive extra processing time and take turns one at a time when needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecember literacy centers and phonics tubs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuided reading small groups or RTI\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHoliday party learning stations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarly finishers and morning bins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHomeschool phonics practice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpeech therapy or tutoring sessions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecial education and intervention classrooms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFile folder games\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStandards\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis initial blends board game supports kindergarten and 1st grade phonics standards in Common Core, the TEKS (ELAR, adopted 2017) and the Virginia English SOL (2024):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon Core State Standards\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCCSS RF.1.2.b:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orally produce single-syllable words by blending sounds, including consonant blends.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCCSS RF.1.3.a:\u003c\/strong\u003e Know the spelling-sound correspondences for common consonant digraphs such as ch, sh and th.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCCSS RF.1.3.b:\u003c\/strong\u003e Decode regularly spelled one-syllable words while reading each card.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCCSS SL.K.1.a:\u003c\/strong\u003e Follow agreed-upon rules, such as listening to others and taking turns, during group play.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTexas TEKS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTEKS ELAR K.2.B.ii:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use letter-sound relationships to decode words, including CCVC words.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTEKS ELAR K.2.C.i:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spell words with VC, CVC and CCVC patterns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTEKS ELAR K.1.D:\u003c\/strong\u003e Work with others by following agreed-upon rules, including taking turns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eVirginia SOL\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVA SOL English K.FFR.3.G:\u003c\/strong\u003e Read and spell words with short vowels, including words beginning with a digraph.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVA SOL English K.FFW.2.A:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spell one-syllable words with short vowels and words beginning with a digraph.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVA SOL English 1.FFR.3.A:\u003c\/strong\u003e Decode and spell short-vowel words with blends and digraphs, including CCVC words.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVA SOL English K.C.1.A.i:\u003c\/strong\u003e Listen actively and follow agreed-upon rules for participating, such as waiting for a turn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCheck out what other educators are saying:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e★★★★★ \u003cstrong\u003eKatheryne S.\u003c\/strong\u003e wrote, “This was SO cute! I love that our blends unit fell at the same time as Christmas so we could include this in our activities. The students loved it and found it very engaging!!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e★★★★★ \u003cstrong\u003eVeronica U.\u003c\/strong\u003e wrote, “My 1st graders loved this as a center, thank you!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdd the Initial Blends and Digraphs Christmas Board Game to your cart and have a festive, ready-to-play phonics game for December centers, small groups and partner practice. Print, prep and watch your readers spin, read and spell their way to the purple ornament!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDownload Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eYou will receive a link to the download in three places\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOn the 'thank you' page after checkout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn your email\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLogin on the site here: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/lifeovercsstore.com\/account\"\u003ehttps:\/\/lifeovercsstore.com\/account\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e","brand":"Life Over Cs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21858478686289,"sku":"0226","price":3.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/0097\/9537\/files\/ChristmasCCVCliteracyboardgamescover.png?v=1786677736","url":"https:\/\/lifeovercsstore.com\/products\/initial-blends-digraphs-board-game-christmas","provider":"Life Over C's","version":"1.0","type":"link"}