Words a first grader can sound out
Most of the ten words here use patterns first graders meet in phonics lessons by December. Sled and gift have a short vowel with a blend, tree and snow bring in vowel teams, and candle and mitten stretch a child to two syllables. That makes the puzzle reading practice as well as a holiday treat.
Why across and down only
Words run only left to right and top to bottom, so children can scan the way they read. A diagonal or backwards word can be discouraging at this age. Once a child is finding every word quickly, change the difficulty to Medium to add diagonals.
Getting the most from it
- Read the list aloud together first, tapping out each sound.
- Ask children to tick the word in the list only after circling it in the grid.
- Have partners find three words each, then swap and check.
Fast finisher ideas
Write any three found words in a sentence on the back of the page. Or sort them: which words name something you can eat, and which name something you can hang on a tree? Keep the solution page at your desk so children can check their own work when they finish.