Activity
Toss and Blend: A Carnival Game
Have you ever played the carnival game where you try to toss chips into a cup to win a fabulous prize? This version may not snag your child a life-size stuffed giraffe, but it will give them a boost with writing and spelling. Sure it's fun, but beneath the carnival atmosphere is a game that helps reinforce beginning sound-letter combinations. So bring out the paper cups, and let's build some words!
Grade
Subject
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What You Need:
- Paper, for recording words
- Markers
- 5 paper cups
- Tape
- Handful of coins, buttons, or game chips
What You Do:
- Using a thick marker, write one of the following beginning blends on the inside lip of each paper cup: BL-TW-QU-CH-SH
- Next, tape the cups to the floor so that they are touching and visible when viewed from a standing position by you and your child.
- On chart paper or a pad, create a beginning letter blends chart. Write the blends as you did on the cups across the top of the paper. These blends form the headings for the columns of your chart. Underneath them, you'll list the words your child brainstorms, in the appropriate individual column.
- Time to toss! To start the game, take turns with your child tossing a chip into the cup of your choice. When the chip lands in a cup, the player must come up with a word that starts with its beginning blend. For example, if your child's chip lands in the BL- cup, they should dream up a word with that beginning, such as “blue” or “black.” Each time someone comes up with a word, let your child (with your assistance) record it on the letter blend chart.
How many words did you come up with for each blend? Ask your child to tally the results! Can they come up with other beginning blends to use for a future round? Do they think they are ready to tackle the game with ending blends instead? Get their feedback. And if your child is game, get out those chips and keep tossing!
Related Guided Lesson
Based on your interest in Toss and Blend: A Carnival Game.
Blending 1
5 games
5 printable worksheets
Grade
Kindergarten
Subject
Reading and writing
Beginning Sounds
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See this activity in a set:
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