AR Spelling Puzzles

This is a pack of 8 AR spelling puzzles.

How do the AR spelling puzzles help with phonics?

Some children have difficulty understanding that two letters can make one sound. As the letters AR are on one part of the picture card - together - the physical manipulation of one piece of the puzzle, with two letters and one sound helps the child to understand.

Who are they for?

Any child needing help to hear the letters AR as one sound in words. They can be used in the Early Years (Pre-K and K) or for Early intervention, or for Special Needs.

Instructions (included in the download):

Puzzle Type 1:

Cut around the whole of each mini puzzle (4 per page) and then cut each picture into its divisions.

To play:

· The child chooses any card. S/he must the find the remaining part/s of the picture to fit together to complete each word.

· As the child does this the teacher should draw the child’s attention to the letters on each card. Ask questions such as:

‘What does ‘farm’ begin with? ‘So ‘f’ comes first’.

‘What sound can you hear next? f-ar?’ ‘Can you find the piece with ‘ar’?’

‘What sound does ‘farm’ end with?’ ‘Can you find the last piece with ‘m’?’

· Once each picture is formed, the child should then sound out the word, moving each piece to the right as it is sounded. Emphasise the saying of one sound ‘ar’ for the letters ‘ar’ together.

Puzzle Type 2:

These puzzles should be completed after Puzzle Type 1.

They consolidate learning.

Cut each picture puzzle out. Cut out the separate letter cards.

To Play:

The child chooses a picture.

The child sounds out the word: s-t-ar; c-ar; f-ar-m; sh-ar-k; b-ar-n; d-ar-t; c-ar-d; ar-m; c-ar-t; p-ar-k.

The child then finds the letter cards needed to spell each word, placing them in the boxes under each card.

Ask questions as the child works as for Puzzle Type 1.