Chase the Rainbow is an engaging and interactive activity designed to help youngers develop their phonics and early literacy skills by practising CVC words. Through this game, students will identify, say, and write CVC words as they progress through the game board. This activity is perfect for small groups or individual play, providing a fun and structured way to enhance phonological awareness and word-building skills.

How to Complete

1. Print the Chase the Rainbow game boards and recording mats or sheets. We recommend printing the boards and mats on thick cardstock for durability. Place the recording mats in write and wipe sleeves to be used with a dry erase pen or whiteboard marker. Provide students with dice and counters.
2. To play, students will roll a die and move their counter the correct number of spaces along the game board. Upon landing on a space, students identify the image, say the CVC word aloud, and write it on their recording mat or sheet. The game continues until a player reaches the rainbow at the end; however, they must land on it with the exact number required. The first player to reach the rainbow with an exact roll wins.

Additional Tips

1. Before play begins, demonstrate how to roll the die, say the word, and write it down. Encourage students to sound out each CVC word as they write.
2. Encourage students to repeat the word aloud before writing to reinforce their phonemic awareness.
3. For students who require additional support offer a small word list or a picture dictionary as a reference.
4. Place the game boards in write-and-wipe sleeves and have students mark of the spaces they land on using dry erase pens or whiteboard markers.

Extension Ideas

1. Speed Challenge: Play in pairs where students race to complete their recording mats or sheets before reaching the rainbow.
2. Sentence Building: Once students write their CVC words, challenge them to use each word in a simple sentence.

Our Chase the Rainbow CVC activity is an excellent way to make phonics practise interactive, engaging, and meaningful for early learners.