Why is there a G in sign? Related words hold the answer. These consonant alternation games help students examine spelling-meaning pairs where a consonant is silent in one word and sounded in the other, like sign, signature, design, and designate.
The games are aligned to Words Their Way: Word Sorts for Derivational Relations Spellers (3rd Edition), Unit 4, Sort 16, but they work alongside any word study or morphology program. They're designed for students in the middle of the Derivational Relations stage, with words suited to upper elementary and early middle grades. Students often know these words already but need direct practice seeing the spelling-meaning connections between them.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Linked! Board Game (Partner Game)
Students take turns drawing cards and moving their pawns along the game board path, searching for and recording words that are "linked" in spelling and meaning as they race to the finish before their opponent.
- Teacher directions
- Linked! game board
- Game cards
- Student-friendly directions
- Recording sheet
- Answer key
Alternation Match & Stack (Independent Activity)
Students match sentence cards with missing words that are related in spelling and meaning. Then they add the word to a gridded mat, connecting it to other words much like a crossword-style building game.
- Teacher directions
- Game cards (32-50 sentences per activity)
- Gridded word building mat
- Recording sheet
- Answer key
ALSO INCLUDED
- Black and white and color versions of everything
- Word list of all included words
- Answer keys for both activities
HOW THIS RESOURCE HELPS YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS
- Builds vocabulary and morphology skills along with spelling
- Helps students use related words to spell sounds that change from one form of a word to another
- Works for partner centers, small groups, early finishers, and independent practice
- Recording sheets build in accountability and quick assessment
- Uses the same game formats as the rest of Unit 4, so students don't have to learn new rules each week
- Ready to print and use with very little prep
Want every game in this unit? This game set is included in the Vowel Alternations in Related Words Unit 4 Derivational Relations Games Bundle | Sounded and Silent Consonants, so you can get all of the Unit 4 games together and save.
ABOUT THE DERIVATIONAL RELATIONS STAGE
This stage is where students begin connecting spelling with meaning on a deeper level. Typically spanning grades 4-6 and beyond, students at this level are proficient with foundational spelling patterns and ready to explore advanced word study concepts. Instruction focuses on prefixes, suffixes, derivational suffixes, consonant and vowel alternation, and the study of Latin and Greek roots. By analyzing how words are built, students strengthen spelling while expanding vocabulary and overall language skills.
NEED PRINTABLES FOR THE ENTIRE DERIVATIONAL RELATIONS LEVEL?
See the Derivational Relations Printable Bundle (contains all 4 resources)
Or, Shop By Activity:
- Word Study Notebook
- Word Searches
- Fill in the Blank Word List Activity
- Weekly Spelling Homework & Word Lists
Copyright © Tammy Roose, Tarheelstate Teacher.
The purchase of this resource gives the buyer permission to download and copy for single classroom use only. Electronic distribution is also limited to single classroom use. Copying for other teachers, school-wide use, or school systems is only allowed with the purchase of additional licenses.
