Domino Phonics

crayola supplies

Gel Markers
Pointed Tip Scissors

household supplies

recycled foam produce trays

Why?

Long vowels. Short vowels. Digraphs. Figuring out phonics can be fun with these dominoes and a classmate or two.

Steps

1. English is a complex language to learn. Knowing how letters and words are pronounced is essential. Here’s an easy way to make a set of dominoes with your choice of different sounds or letter blends. We started with long vowel sounds. With a partner or two, choose your domino challenge!
2. Cut the bones. With Crayola® Scissors, cut out 20 or more rectangles from recycled foam produce trays. Make sure these "bones" are big enough on which to write a word and sound.
3. Fill the bones. With Crayola Gel Markers, divide each rectangle in half. Write a long vowel sound such as ee, oa, ai, y, i-e, ea, oo, ay, or igh on one side of each rectangle. Write words that have these sounds on the other side. Mix up the sounds and words.
4. Play! Shuffle bones face down. Pick five. First player lays a tile down. Other players add matching words or corresponding vowel sounds. If a player cannot move, pick tiles until you are able to add one.

adaptations

Tailor the content of dominoes to address identified learning needs and for learning other languages. They’re great for spelling, too!

Decorate colorful envelopes or shoe boxes in which to organize and store the games. Suggest that families make similar games to play at home with their children.

Dominoes were probably invented in China more than 300 years ago. They were first used to tell the future, then for playing. Find out more about this game that’s played around the world. Explore the different indigenous materials used to make sets. What other games are played across the globe?

Search Crayola.com for more early literacy games and manipulatives.

benefits

Students work in pairs or trios to identify long vowels sounds and corresponding words (or other phonics challenges).

Students fabricate a simple phonics game based on traditional dominoes.

Students reinforce their phonics learning by playing a group game.

grades

Grades 4 to 6
Special Needs
Grades 1 to 3

subjects

Language Arts
Visual Arts

time

Less than 1/2 hour

curriculum standards links

US: Research U.S. Standards
UK: Research UK Standards
Canada: Research Canada Standards

safety guidelines

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.