Goal
Practise recognising tricky words quickly — the speed element builds automaticity, which is what fluent reading actually needs.
You'll need
- Tricky Word Cards
- Tricky Words List
How to do it
Spread the tricky word cards out on the floor or table. One person calls out a word (or points to it on the list). The other races to find and swat the matching card — with a hand, a fly swat, or a rolled-up newspaper if you're feeling dramatic.
When they swat it, they read it aloud to confirm. Correct = they keep the card. Wrong = back it goes. Take turns being the caller.
The physical swat + the saying aloud combination is oddly effective — movement and sound together help words stick. It also burns off a bit of energy, which never hurts before a reading session.
Grab our resources
Print our tricky word cards and tricky words list to get started.
