Guest Author - Lynn Little

Ages 4 and up

Players 2 to 8

Playing Time 15 minutes

Whizizzle Phonics is an educational game that is fast paced and fun. There are two sets of the game: Whizizzle 1-2-3 and Whizizzle 4-5-6. Each deck has a different theme that is used to help kids learn to read.

The object of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all the cards in your hand. You do this by playing cards on the discard pile.

To begin, choose a deck and shuffle really well. Then deal out seven cards to all players. Then turn over the top card from the remaining cards and place it face up. Sit the deck beside the discard pile.

Players then can play one card at a time onto the discard pile. The word on the card you play must match either the beginning, middle, or end sound of the word on the top of the discard pile. Each card has a color and a vowel that is that same color as well. Words that have a matching sound will also have the same color.

There are also action cards that can be played instead of a word card. An action card might allow you to change the current vowel, skip the next player, or instruct the next player to draw a card.

Whizizzle Phonics is a learning tool to help kids read. Each set focuses on a different reading subject like set one is all about short vowel sounds in consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel words. Set two concentrates on long vowel sounds and silent 'e.' Set three's cards surround starting blends like trot and drum. Whizizzle Phonics 4 teaches ending blends like milk and jump. Five is the letter 'y' as a vowel and vowel brothers. Six focuses on digraphs like dash and song.

The game provides a fun way to teach phonics to kids. Younger kids who are not quite ready to read can still enjoy either watching or even playing along since words that can be played on each other have to be the same color.

Whizizzle Phonics can be used in the classroom, at home, or in groups to give kids a fun exercise in learning to read.