Checking for phonics proficiency doesn’t have to be boring. Did you know you can check for proficiency using multiple types of assessments? A traditional test doesn’t always have to be used! Assessment doesn’t mean paper/pencil anymore. Keep reading to find fun ways to assess phonics skills!

Vowel Teams Practice

Vowels teams are HUGE in 2nd and 3rd grade where I teach. Students must be proficient in knowing vowel teams and their rules before moving on to 4th grade. Even after coming back to in person teaching, I continued to use these digital slides to practice and assess my students’ understanding of vowel teams. It gave students a way to practice without looking like a test. Plus they loved the visuals! If you aren’t sure, check out the FREEBIE to see if this resource works for your students.

Vowel Team FREEBIE

CVC Practice

In kindergarten and 1st grade, students are learning how to decode CVC words as a prerequisite to decoding more challenging words. This past year, they were also learning how to manipulate online learning and using Google Slides™. These slides are perfect for both! Students practice using online tools while also practicing spelling, decoding, and using CVC words. After students understood how Slides worked, I used these to assess their understand and use of CVC words.

Short and Long Vowel Write the Rooms

My favorite way to assess student knowledge is to get them up and moving! Write the Room activities are so fun and get students out of their desks. Simply print the cards, and place them around the room. Give students the recording sheet, a clipboard, and a writing utensil, and set them loose! Students sort the pictures into short and long vowel columns. There is even seat work included if you want to use it as morning work, or for early finishers.

Teacher Tips

1. If you can’t print in color (like me) then print on card stock.
2. Laminate the room cards so they can be used over and over again.
3. For a student that needs that little extra movement and encouragement, allow that student to place the room cards around the classroom as a reward/extended movement opportunity.

Mastering phonics makes for better readers. Make it fun and involve students in their learning, and mastery will come! Watching students turn into confident readers is one of the best feelings. It’s even better watching a struggling reader, who was not previously taught phonics skills, thrive after being taught the fundamentals of reading and decoding. Best of luck in your phonics instruction journey!

For more resources to use in your classroom, check out my TPT Store Resource Remedies