Activity description: Phonics search is very similar to a word search except it uses pictures and words. The sheet is full of pictures and there is word bank that has a list of words for students to find. Students must read the word then color in the picture that matches it when they find it. There was a variety of phonic searches of varied difficulty levels for students at different stages in their learning.  

Curriculum connections 

Big idea: Playing with language helps us discover how language works. 

Curricular competency: Read fluently at grade level 

Content: reading strategies – students are using phonic knowledge as a reading strategy to complete the word search 

Core competency: Critical and reflective thinking. I chose this core competency as students must reflect upon their knowledge of phonics and sound blending when sounding out a word.  

FPPL:  Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.

Reflection linking to the pro standards for B.C. educators: I really liked this variation of a word search as i found it created more engagement amongst the students as they enjoyed coloring. The first standard in the pro standards for B.C. educators is “Educators value the success of all students. Educators care for students and act in their best interest.” It can be difficult to reach every student where they are at sometimes but UDL (universal desin for learning) is a great strategy to do so. The different difficulty levels of the phonics search served as UDL to meet each student where they are at in their learning and challenge each student.