Diphthongs Word Ladders, Word Chaining Phonics Worksheets | SoR

Elevate your phonics lessons and add fun to phonemic awareness activities with these diphthong word ladders and word chaining worksheets!

A word ladder, also called a word chain, is a simple tool designed to build phonemic awareness and support decoding (reading) and encoding (spelling) skills. Students use higher-level thinking as they substitute sounds to make the next word.

Ideal for interventions, word ladders strengthen letter-sound connections and are perfect for practicing sound substitution and using picture clues.

Included in this resource are 50 printable and projectable word ladders to help your students master reading and spelling words with ten different diphthongs using fun, no-prep activities.

Teacher scripts enable you to use the word ladders as a guided activity if you wish. Answer keys are included for all ladders.

Diphthongs Word Ladders included:

• /au/ like launch
• /aw/ like claw
• /ew/ like dew
• /oo/ like moon
• /oo/ like foot
• / oi/ like coin
• /oy/ like toy
• /ou/ like found
• /ow/ like town

Easily differentiate with 3 flexible options:

Printable word ladders with picture prompts – Guided teacher notes and a script are provided for you to walk students through sound/letter substitution.

Projectable word ladders with picture prompts – Students climb down the ladder by substituting letters to spell the picture name. Then advance the slide to check their answers. Also, the projectable version is ideal for modeling sound substitution and how to use the printable versions!

Projectable word ladders with a starting prompt – Students start with one picture prompt and then substitute letters to generate new words.

When to use Diphthongs Word Ladders:

• Phonics practice
• Interventions
• Literacy centers
• Small groups & word building
• Whole group phonics lessons
• Review

PowerPoint, PDF, and Google Slides are included:

These projectable word ladders are included in PowerPoint, Google Slides, and PDF formats.

NOTE: The Google Slides version is included for teachers who do not have PowerPoint. The Google Slides are designed to be projected on your whiteboard, as you would a PowerPoint, and are not intended to be used on student devices.

How to use Diphthongs Word Ladders:

Print the black and white word ladders, that come 3 to a page, as instant phonics practice that is perfect for a center.

Print the colored PDF version to use as a phonics center or for small group word-building.

Project the PowerPoint or Google Slides on your whiteboard for an engaging addition to your lesson or to use as a center. Students write the answers in the ladders on the whiteboard.

**Please download the preview to see more details and all materials included.

Happy teaching!

Linda Kamp

Around the Kampfire

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