CVC Word Building Picture Code Cards | UFLI-Aligned Phonics Centres
Turn word building into a code-solving game! Children name each picture, write the beginning letter, then blend the letters to crack the secret word.
What’s included
- Set 1: 20 cards using letters from UFLI Lessons 1–20
- Set 2: 20 cards using letters from UFLI Lessons 1–34
- 40 cards total, four per page
- Picture-code guide for each set
- Teacher instructions and answer keys
- Two printable PDFs (seven pages per set)
- BONUS
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- 2 mini decodable readers, one matched to each set
- CVC word lists for each set, for warm-ups and quick checks
- Blend-and-read word strips for fluency practice
- Dictation sentences for each set, for spelling assessment
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A student recording sheet for hide-and-seek and center rotations
Skills practised
- Identifying beginning sounds
- Matching sounds to letters
- Writing lowercase letters
- Blending and reading short words
- Spelling with picture clues
Most cards build CVC words. Set 2 also includes x and qu, with teacher notes explaining the special clues: the fox picture stands for the final /ks/ in x, and the queen picture stands for qu.
Great for
Literacy centres, small groups, early reading intervention, independent word work and homeschool. Best for Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners.
Getting ready
Print, cut and laminate, or slip the cards into dry-erase sleeves. Introduce the picture names and model one card before children work on their own. Choose the set that matches your learners’ current letter knowledge.
Five ways to extend the cards
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Hide and seek: Hide the cards around the room. Children find a card, solve the code on their recording sheet or in a dry-erase sleeve, then hunt for the next one.
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Say it three ways: After blending, children say the word out loud, whisper it, then say it in a silly voice (robot, giant, mouse).
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Tap it out: Children tap one finger to their thumb for each sound, or tap on the table, then sweep a hand along the arm to blend the whole word.
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Draw the word: Flip the card or use a mini whiteboard. Children draw a quick sketch of the word they spelled, then label it. Great for checking that they understand the word’s meaning.
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Partner challenge: One child solves a card while their partner covers the pictures. The partner reads the finished word aloud, then they swap. For an extra step, children use the word in a sentence.
This is an independently created Sweet Little Learners resource. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Florida Literacy Institute and does not replace UFLI Foundations lessons.
Digital download only. No physical product will be shipped.
