Reading Games

The games here are designed to practice targeted skills.  They are best used in small groups, during small group intervention, or in reading stations.  They are supplements to a balanced reading curriculum, and provide a motivating way for students to practice using vocabulary, identifying cause and effects, making contractions, and more. 

Playing games is a great way to learn new things.  Check out each component of reading for free games you can download, print, and play. 

Reading has many components.  The games are divided into several main components to help you easily find what you need.

Phonemic Awareness

Phonemic awareness is the awareness of phonemes that make up spoken words.  Developing phonemic awareness is critical for emergent readers.  These games allow students to practice manipulating sounds in spoken words.  These games need a teacher or group leader to say the questions, since the students do not read any written words in these games.

Letter and Letter-Sound Recognition

Knowing the names of the letters and the most common sounds they make is crucial for beginning readers.  These games provide repeated practice with saying the names and/or sounds of the letters.

Word Recognition

These games focus on helping students read words quickly.  Words that children must read by sight and words that can be decoded phonetically are both included in the games unless otherwise stated.

Word Study/Vocabulary

Studying how words are constructed, what they mean, and how they are related to other words can deep students' understanding of words and increase vocabulary and comprehension. 

Comprehension

Reading comprehension is effected by many aspects, including word recognition skills, reading fluency, and student ability to understand story elements and text structure, among other characteristics.  These games help students practice skills that influence comprehension.