Two-Syllable Words Partner Phonics Games

Here are some fun, engaging Partner Phonics Games that help students practice decoding two-syllable, compound, and multisyllabic words. Games include word-reading and sentence-reading and move from simple compound words to more complex multi-syllabic decoding.

Which Words are Included in the Partner Phonics Games?

There are three sets of words used with the partner phonics games. The words move from simple to complex along these three groups of words:

• Set #1: compound words (short vowel only), closed two-syllables (vc/v & vc/cv)
• Set #2: open two-syllables (v/cv), compound words with VCE, two-syllable with VCE / EE
• Set #3: multisyllabic with r-controlled vowels

Most of the words are two-syllable words. There are a few multi-syllabic words at higher levels.

Here is the word list that shows the progression of the words.

The 8 Phonics Games

Included in the Partner Phonics Games are 8 phonics games with slight variations in some of the games. Games include:

1. Spin, Read, Color #1 – Students read words.
2. Spin, Read, Color #2 – Students read words with extended gameplay.
3. Roll, Read, Color #1 – Both students read the same sentences.
4. Roll, Read, Color #2 – Students read separate sentences.
5. Four-in-a-Row – Students read words to make four-in-a-row.
6. Dots & Boxes – Students read words to claim squares.
7. Cover Up – Read 1-3 words at a time, depending on the number spun.
8. Color Maze – Read words to create a pathway across the grid.

Placing the games in sheet protectors and using whiteboard markers cuts down on photocopies and allows quick and easy repeated gameplay.

Here are samples of the 8 games included in this resource.

Spin, Read, Color

The Spin, Read, Color two-player game has students color a spinner to match the column colors. Students spin then read and color a word in the respected column. At the end, when all boxes are colored, student count and record the number of boxes they were able to color.

The Spin, Read, Color game comes in two versions. In the above version, students read each word once. In the below version, students read each word twice. Students read and color the inside box and read and color the outside box. This gives an opportunity for extended play.

The spinner that you see above is a Classroom Spinner.  To use it, students put a pencil eraser in the slot, flick the spinner and wait until it stops. 

Roll, Read, Color

Roll, Read, and Color is similar to Spin, Read, and Color, except students roll instead of spin. This phonics partner game also asks students to read sentences.

There are three opportunities to read each sentence. The student who reads the most sentences in a row “wins” the row.

The above photograph is an example of sentences in the first set. The one below is an example of sentences in the third set.

Like the Spin, Read, Color game, the Roll, Read, Color game has two versions. One version, the above examples, have both students read the same sentences. The second version below have students read two different sets of sentences.

If you place the pages in page protectors. Students can play several rounds of the game and switch roles each time.

Four-in-a-Row

Four-in-a-Row is played just like the traditional game. Students read a word, color a circle and attempt to make four-in-a-row first.

Dots & Boxes

Dots and Boxes is played like the traditional game. Each word can be read up to four times, one for each line of the square. The player with the most colored boxes wins.

Cover Up

In the game Cover Up students spin the spinner and read and cover up 1, 2, or 3 circles. The player with the most circles covered at the end wins.

Color Maze

Color Maze is a fun game where students race to see who can color a maze across the board first. Players can choose to color from the white circle to the white circle or the black circles. Players can also choose to start at the top or bottom.

How to Purchase the Partner Phonics Games for Two-Syllable Words

The Phonics Partner Games can be purchased on my website.