Editable sight word hide and seek pocket chart game with a zoo twist! Looking for a fun small group, whole group or partner activity to teach sight words? This Zoo themed sight word hide and seek pocket chart game is a perfect way to work on sight words in preschool, pre-K and kindergarten.

You choose the sight words to work on. Type the words you want into the editable file, pick a set of 6, 9, 12 or 15 words and use any combination of sight words you like. One student hides the bananas behind the monkey and the other students take turns guessing where the bananas are hiding, reading a word out loud with every guess. It is great for differentiating throughout the year.

With this zoo sight word hide and seek game, you get

• An editable sight word chart where you type in your own words
• Sets of 6, 9, 12 or 15 word cards
• A zoo hide and seek game in color and black and white
• Optional differentiated recording pages for reading and writing practice
• A game that also works for CVC words, spelling words and names

Type your words, print, laminate and the guessing can begin.

What's Included

• Page 5: Editable Sight Word Chart (sets of 6, 9, 12 or 15 words)
• Pages 6-8: Color Hide and Seek Game
• Pages 9-11: Black and White Hide and Seek Game
• Pages 12-15: Differentiated Recording Pages
• No need to install a font

Please note that you MUST open the file using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat. It will not work with Preview and may not work on other PDF readers. Adobe Reader is available as a free download.

Why Teachers Love It

• Your words, your way: Type in the exact sight words your class is learning and change them as often as you like.
• Easy to differentiate: Choose 6, 9, 12 or 15 words so every group works with the right amount.
• More than sight words: It also works great for CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant words like cat), CVCe words (words with a silent e like cake), beginning blends and digraphs (two letters that work together like bl or sh) or other spelling words.
• Name recognition too: Use it for names with up to 9 letters.
• A theme kids love: Playful monkeys and hidden bananas keep word practice fresh for zoo and animal units.
• Flexible setup: Use a pocket chart (a hanging chart with clear pockets) or simply lay the cards on a table or the floor.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Sight word recognition: Children read the word cards in the pocket chart as they play and guess.
• Reading words aloud: Each guess gives children a reason to say a word out loud.
• Word writing: The optional recording pages ask children to write the correct guesses.
• Phonics practice: Swap in CVC, CVCe, blend or digraph words for decoding practice.
• Name recognition: Type in classmates' names for a fun name game.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Taking turns
• Listening to classmates
• Remembering previous guesses
• Making and checking predictions
• Waiting during group play
• Building confidence during group participation

How to Use It

Step 1: Type your chosen words into the editable sight word chart using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat. Print and laminate, then cut apart the cards.

Step 2: Place your word cards into a pocket chart facing out so that the students can read the words. You can also place them on a table or floor if you do not have a pocket chart. Have the students (or one student if working in pairs) close their eyes while one person hides 1-3 banana cards behind the monkey.

Step 3: Students then take turns guessing which word the banana cards are hiding behind. With the optional recording pages, students cross off the words in the box as they are guessed. Then they write the correct guesses in the boxes at the bottom of the page.

Materials You'll Need

• Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat (free download) to type in your words
• Laminating supplies
• A pocket chart (optional; a table or floor works too)

Easy Differentiation

Every reader is at a different place with sight words. This game is easy to adjust for each child.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Start with a set of 6 words
• Use words children already know plus one or two new words
• Read each word together before hiding the bananas
• Hide just 1 banana card

For On-Level Practice

• Use a set of 9 or 12 words from your current word list
• Hide 2-3 banana cards
• Use the recording pages to cross off guesses and write correct words
• Play with a partner during literacy centers

For an Extra Challenge

• Use a set of 15 words
• Type in CVCe words, blends or digraphs
• Have the child who hides the bananas read every word aloud to check guesses
• Ask children to use a guessed word in a sentence

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Type in target words or vocabulary for speech and ELL goals
• Use a short language frame such as "Is it behind ___?"
• Type in names (up to 9 letters) for name recognition practice
• Choose the black and white set or fewer words to reduce visual clutter
• Give extra processing time before each guess

Perfect For

• Zoo and animal units
• Small groups
• Whole group lessons
• Partner games
• Intervention groups
• Speech therapy sessions
• Homeschool
• Preschool, pre-K and kindergarten

Standards

This zoo sight word hide and seek game supports kindergarten reading, writing and speaking standards in Common Core, the TEKS (ELAR, adopted 2017) and the Virginia English SOL (2024), with a cooperative play outcome from the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines:

Common Core State Standards

• CCSS RF.K.3.c: Read common high-frequency words by sight. Children read each word card as they guess.
• CCSS L.K.1.a: Print many uppercase and lowercase letters while writing correct guesses on the recording pages.
• CCSS SL.K.1.a: Follow agreed-upon rules, such as listening to others and taking turns, during group play.

Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines

• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.I.C.4: Interact with peers during cooperative play that shares a common plan and goal.

Texas TEKS

• TEKS ELAR K.2.B.iv: Identify and read at least 25 high-frequency words from a research-based list, using the words you type in.
• TEKS ELAR K.1.D: Work with others by following agreed-upon rules, including taking turns.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL English K.FFR.3.H: Read grade-level high frequency words, including decodable and irregular words.
• VA SOL English K.C.1.A.i: Listen actively and follow agreed-upon rules for participating, such as waiting for a turn.

Add the Sight Word Editable Hide & Seek Pocket Chart Cards | Zoo Theme to your cart and have a fun, editable sight word game ready for any season. Type in your words, hide the bananas and watch your readers cheer when they find them!

The Zoo Theme Sight Word Hide and Seek Pocket Chart Cards are also included in the Sight Word Hide and Seek Pocket Chart Cards ENDLESS Bundle.

Download Details

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places

1. On the 'thank you' page after checkout
2. In your email
3. Login on the site here: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account