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by Jennifer Gregory
Topics: First Grade, Reading
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Kids love going on scavenger hunts to look for items. Whether they're chasing down a paper clip or a scarf, the thrill of the game keeps children excited and engaged. This activity combines a scavenger hunt with practicing common blend sounds. As your child continues to practicing reading in First Grade, she will work on learning blends and sounding out words with blends. This activity is a fun way to practice learning blends at home.

What You Need:
  • Index cards
  • Pen
  • Basket or bag
  • Timer

What to Do:

  1. Write the following blends on separate index card: bl, br, cl, cr, dr, fl, gr, pl, sc, sl, sm, sn, sp, st, sw, and tr. Make sure each consonant blend is written on its own card.
  2. Hand a card to your child and ask her what sound the blend makes. Remind her that blends are letters that work together to make one sound. For instance, the tr blend makes the initial sound you hear in the word tree. Practice the sound of the blend with your child.
  3. Start hunting! Give your child a basket and tell her that she has five minutes to find as many items in the house that start with the sound on the card. If your child is just learning the sounds, you many want to brainstorm about some ideas of objects that she can find.  
Here are a few example ideas:
 
bl – blue, black, blender, blazer
br – brown, brick, bright, bread
cl- clothes, cloth, clip, cleaner
dr-- drawer, drink, drop, drain,
fl – floor, flat, flip, flake
gr-- green, grass, grade, gross,
pl – plastic, play, plush, pluto,
sc-- scream, scrape, scar, scratch
sl – sled, slide, slipper, slim
sm – small, smear, smooth, smart,
sn – snake, snack,snap
sp -- spot, sport, splatter,spatula
St – star, stump, stick, sting, stamp, stone
sw – sweater, sweet, swing, sweet
tr-- tree, tray, truck, trunk, treat

Set the timer and start the hunt. When the timer is up, go over the items with your child. If your child could not find something, go with your child through the house and help her find something. If some items were too large to put in her basket, still reward her with point.s

Give your child another card and have her find items that start with the card. Continue playing the game until you have finished with the cards. If your child is just learning blends, you may only want to play with a couple cards the first few times that you play the game. If you child is advanced, you might consider having her compete with an older sibling or friend who is advanced as she is.