Long Vowel Patterns Roll Say Keep Game

Keeping higher readers in kindergarten challenged appropriately doesn’t mean more work, or even more {{uuugh}} worksheets. Far from it! In our classroom it means working on the next level of skills or working more in depth.

Here is one example of a game we played in our guided reading groups to help higher readers stay challenged. This is a Roll, Say, Keep style game works on using long vowel patterns to solve words and read them more fluently.

This free printable Roll Say Keep Long Vowels Game is easy to use. Let me walk you through how we played it in our classroom!

Prepping the Long Vowel Patterns Game

1. Print a game mat and word cards (in black and white) onto colored construction paper.
2. Print one game set for each pair of students in your reading group – each on a different color of paper.
3. Laminate game pieces if you want. Cut them out.
4. Add a dice for each game set.
5. Store each game set in a ziploc bag to be able to quickly pass out the materials and keep game cards separated.

It really is as simple as putting the game pieces together with a die!

How to Use

Your students play in pairs. They put one long vowel word card (face up) on each of the 6 available spaces on the game board/mat.

They take turns rolling a die and reading the word card on the number space that matches the number rolled.

• If they read the word incorrectly, it stays on the game board.
• If they read it correctly, they keep the card as a “point.”
• A new card is drawn to replace the card taken off of the workmart so they can keep playing.

There are some additional things thrown in to spice up the game factor.

• If students get a +1 or +2 card, they get the opportunity to read 1 or 2 additional cards from the draw pile and keep them as point.
• If they draw a -1 card, they have to put one of their point cards back into the draw pile.

It’s game over when someone rolls the number and pulls the “game over” card. Count up card points to see who has the most!

Tip: Keep a long vowel patterns chart handy so students can use it as a reference if needed.

Simple, yet good practice!

There you have an activity ready to go for when your readers have moved beyond kindergarten standards.

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