This fun phonics word search worksheet is designed to help students develop their understanding of the ng, ck, wh and qu sounds, allowing them to simultaneously build phonemic awareness and enhance their sentence writing skills.

How to Complete

Supported by the images in the word bank, students will find and colour all the ng, ck, wh and qu words hidden in the word search grid, reinforcing their ability to visually recognise the ng, ck, wh and qu sounds and their spelling pattern. Using the words found in the word search, students will create their own sentences. Encourage them to underline all occurrences of the ng, ck, wh and qu sounds to strengthen their understanding of the spelling pattern. Please note that we have included three options to suit the needs of your class:

1. Students complete the word search based on the words in the word bank.
2. Students add the correct spelling pattern to the words in the word bank before completing the word search.
3. Students label each picture in the word bank before completing the word search.

Additional Tips

1. Before students begin, review the focus sound and its spelling patterns as featured in the word bank.
2. Demonstrate how to use words from the word bank to create meaningful sentences, providing a clear example before students begin the activity.
3. Younger students may benefit from having the worksheet enlarged to A3.

Extension Ideas

1. Phonics Relay: Divide students into teams. Choose a word from the word bank and challenge each team to write a sentence based on it. The team with the best sentence, that also includes the correct spelling of the sound pattern, wins the round. Provide a different focus word for the next round and so on.
2. Phonics Art: Have students choose a word from the word bank and draw a picture to represent it. Below their drawing, they can write a short sentence or description using the word.
3. Word Rhyming Game: To expand students’ phonemic awareness and creativity, challenge them to generate lists of words that rhyme with words from the word bank. Ask them to colour code words that share the same spelling pattern.

This versatile worksheet will engage your students in meaningful phonics practice.

This resource is available in our basic fun font and all Australian state fonts.