We are so excited to be able to offer the new Basic Phonics Skills Series from Evan Moor. This four volume series of easy-to-make phonics games (Take it to Your Seat Phonics Centers) is designed to go along with the Basic Phonics Skills activity books (see related products below.) Each of the Phonics Centers books contains 12 - 14 phonics games. The games are all self-checking for ease of use. These games are printed in full-color and are very easy to assemble. You will need a large manila envelope for each game. Each game includes:

*** teaching suggestions including ideas for using the games in a small group or for an individual child playing alone

*** a full color cover to fasten to the front of the envelope

*** a full color back cover which contains the instructions for the game

*** all needed game pieces

*** a reproducible activity sheet that provides additional review of the target concept

Because these games are stored in envelopes, they are easy to store on a shelf or in a plastic milk crate. Even young children should be able to play these games easily on their own after seeing them demonstrated once or twice. My children have all really enjoyed using these, and I love seeing them have so much fun while learning and reviewing important concepts. Here are some ways that we have used these in our home:

*** I will hand an envelope or two to a child to keep him constructively busy while my attention is elsewhere.

*** I will use the promise of a game as an incentive for good work. For example, if a child does particularly well at his phonics lesson, I may allow him to skip a workpage and play one of these games instead.

*** I like to keep a couple of the games out and handy while we do table work. If I am called away by a small child, a discipline problem, a load of laundry, etc., the children know that they can grab an envelope and work on it until I get back.

*** I can give one to a small child that is simply being too loud or active. The mental concentration required will slow him down at least a little! Because the games are portable, it is easy to keep one right by my desk, in the kitchen, or anywhere else that I want to keep a child both near my and quietly occupied.

*** I will ask an older child to play the game with a younger child if the concept is new or challenging for the younger child.

*** Plan to sit down with your book, the envelopes, a pair of scissors and roll of tape so that you can assemble a number of games at once. They only take a couple of minutes to cut out and put together, and any child with decent scissors skills can help you. Enlisting your children to help put the games together will whet their appetite and add excitement to the games.

*** I initially planned to make several copies of each reproducible activity sheet and keep the copies in the envelope. Hannah had the excellent idea of laminating the activity sheets and keeping a package of water-soluble overhead transparency markers in the crate with the games. The markers add interest and novelty to the activity pages, and the pages can easily be wiped clean with a baby wipe or damp paper towel. A few pages require some sort of cutting activities, but most are suited to lamination.

I am certain that once you try a volume of these games, you will be hooked. They are very colorful and extremely attractive. They can be used to supplement any phonics program or provide remedial work to a child that just needs to brush up a couple of skills. Because they are designed to complement the Basic Phonics Skills books, we highly recommend using the games if you are using Basic Phonics Skills. As children play the games over and over, they will get a tremendous amount of review without having to do a lot of extra writing.

Take it to Your Seat Phonics Centers Level A is the first book in the series and is targeting for children in pre-K and K (prereading and beginning phonics skills). To view this entire book page by page, please click here.

Level A contains the following games:

Puppy Match: Children match up pairs of cards containing pictures of puppies wearing bandannas. The bandannas vary only slightly (orange polka dots on one pair, orange checks on another pair, etc.) This helps visual discrimination skills. This game can also be used as a memory match game.

Find the Pairs: Children match pairs of mittens that contain the same letter. This aids visual discrimination and starts to familiarize children with the differences in commonly confused letters such as b, p, and d.

Three of a Kind: The envelope contains strips illustrated with three pictures. Two of the pictures are the same, one is different. The child uses small picture cards to cover the "does not match" picture with a picture that does match. This promotes visual discrimination and thinking skills.

Rhyming Pairs: Children fit together two piece jigsaw puzzles. Each piece is illustrated with a picture and the child needs to match pairs that rhyme. This is based on auditory skills only - there are no words used.

Rhyme Squares: Children sort out sets of four picture cards containing pictures of words that rhyme. Each set of four cards makes a square when assembled correctly.

Alike - Not Alike: Children are given two full color work mats. One is identified as "alike" and the other as "not alike." The envelope also contains a number of letter cards printed with two letters each. If both letters are the same, the card is placed on the "alike" mat, and if they are not the same, they are placed on the "not alike" mat.

Match it Up: Children put together pictures of ladybugs by matching capital and lowercase letters. Each ladybug is cut in half with the capital letter on one half and the lowercase on the other half. Kids love this game!

Beginning Sounds: Children have work mats that each contain one picture. They sort cards onto the mats according to matching beginning sounds. For example, the card with the baby on it would be placed on the mat that contains a picture of a bee. No printed words are used - this is based on the child "hearing" the beginning sounds for b, f, h, l, m, p, s , and w. The letters are printed on the mats to introduce the idea of letter sounds

Listen for the Sound: Similar to above, but cards are sorted into little "chests" made of folded paper. Focuses on the sounds of c, d, j, q, n, v.

Begins With . . . : Similar to above, but cards are sorted onto mats resembling bingo boards. Teaches the sounds of g, k, r, t, y, and z.

Ending Sounds: Children match pictures to the letter with which they end. No words are used. Uses the letters b, k, n, s, and t.

Ends With . . .: Scoops of ice cream illustrated with pictures are matched to ice cream cones printed with ending letters. Uses the letters d, g, l, m, p, and r.

Count the Parts: Children sort cards into pockets according to whether the words have one or two syllables. Teaches this skill in a very engaging manner!