Learning to Read CCVC & CVCC Words Location Mats - Hands-On Phonics Centre
Build confident readers with this hands-on CCVC & CVCC word decoding activity! Perfect for phonics centres, this Science of Reading aligned resource helps students practice blending and reading words with consonant blends.
Just print and go for engaging, purposeful word work your students will love!
Looking for an engaging way to help your students move beyond CVC words and confidently decode more complex words? These CCVC & CVCC Word Location Mats are a hands-on, low-prep phonics centre designed to support students as they learn to blend consonant clusters and decode short vowel words with greater fluency.
Perfect for Kindergarten, Year 1, and Year 2 classrooms, this activity builds essential early reading skills while keeping students actively engaged.
How It Works 🔍
Students will:
✔ Read the target word
✔ Find the matching picture on the mat
✔ Identify its location using coordinates (e.g. A3)
✔ Record their answer
This simple routine builds decoding, visual scanning, and attention to detail—all in one meaningful task.
Why Teachers Love This Resource -
- Targets CCVC & CVCC word structures (e.g. frog, stop, clap, tent)
- Strengthens blending and decoding skills
- Aligned with the Science of Reading
- Encourages independent work during literacy centres
- Keeps students engaged with a purposeful, game-like format
- Builds confidence in developing readers
What’s Included -
- Multiple CCVC & CVCC word location mats
- Answer cards to build independence
- Clear student-friendly instructions
- Print-and-go format (no prep required)
Perfect For
• Phonics centres
• Small group instruction
• Intervention groups
• Independent practice
• Early finishers
• Literacy rotations
Skill Focus
• Blending consonant clusters
• Decoding CCVC words
• Decoding CVCC words
• Short vowel recognition
• Phoneme blending
• Early reading fluency
Differentiation Ideas
• Use with support in small groups for targeted intervention
• Encourage students to say each sound aloud before blending
• Extend by having students write the word after locating it
❤️ Designed for Real Classrooms
This resource was created to give students meaningful, repeated decoding practice in a way that feels interactive—not repetitive.
It’s the perfect next step after CVC word work and helps bridge the gap toward more complex reading.
File type –
Ready to print PDF
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU PURCHASE THIS RESOURCE…
All of our resources are downloadable digital files that you will be able to access immediately after purchase.
★ Please view the available PREVIEWS to see more of what’s included ★
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