Teaching IE and IGH Words with Phonics Centers and Games

Teaching IE and IGH Words with Phonics Centers and Games

Hey, y'all! We've been using phonics centers for awhile now in our classroom and my students are growing like crazy! This week, we're working on long i spelling patterns with "ie" and "igh." This one tends to trip up my students, but our phonics centers have helped them keep track of when to use each spelling pattern. 

Over the last few years, I was getting so frustrated with our phonics curriculum because we would learn a new spelling pattern, but there would be no hands-on practice reading these words outside of the whole class lesson. Students can't become independent as readers without independent practice. I mean, we do it in math all the time--we teach how to add, then students practice it. But there weren't any targeted reading skills practice that matched what we were learning. So phonics centers were born. 

When teaching the long i spelling patterns, "ie" is usually found at the end of one syllable words like "pie" and "tie." "Igh" is the more common spelling pattern with words like "sight" and "bright." Also, when conjugating words with a "y" at the end, we change the "y" to an "i" and add "es" or "ed" like in "cries" or "tried." 

In our classroom, we learn the new spelling pattern as a whole group. Then, we break off into four reading groups. My students rotate between stations: teacher table, read to self, computers, and phonics centers. I add the centers that match our new spelling pattern to our center mix each week. I'll leave previous weeks' centers for a little while so students can continue to practice with them. 

With this set, students have the trail games, ABC order puzzles, hidden words games, Bump games, and read and write cards as part of their center choices. I am keeping the roll and read games and matching cards for small group instruction and assessment. I also hold onto the Scoot game until the end of the week to use as an assessment or for quiz-quiz-trade during morning meeting. It's such a fun way to review what we've learned so far!

You can check out this entire unit in my TPT store here. It's also part of a larger growing bundle of phonics centers designed to last you all school year. You can check out the bundle here. While you're there, be sure to follow me on TPT. I'm always adding something new and you won't want to miss it!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope this helps make your phonics centers more engaging and productive. Have a wonderful week and I'll talk to you soon!

Stay cozy,