Check out the newest addition to my collection of free spelling games. It’s the Train Game! Perfect for reviewing long a spelling patterns.
(This post contains affiliate links.)
This game is unlike other spelling games — your child won’t actually be writing or even spelling long a words. Instead, he’ll be reading them and analyzing their patterns. Because winning this game depends entirely on the roll of the die, your child will even be willing to play it with you. 🙂
The game was adapted from The Train Station Game, which is included in Words Their Way, by Bear, Invernizzi, Templeton, and Johnston. It follows the pattern of my most recent spelling game in this free series.
I released the original version of this game almost two years ago. I’ve modified it so it’s a one page game and can also be printed in black and white.
Here’s the game board.
Here are the playing cards. See how they have words with three long a spelling patterns? You’ll find a-consonant-e, ai, and ay. Print two sets.
Rules for play:
1. Shuffle the cards. Deal five cards to each player, and place the rest underneath the game board.
2) On your turn, roll the die.
3) Move ahead. Read the word you land on and name the long a spelling pattern (a-consonant-e, ai, or ay).
4) Look at your cards. Find any words in your hand that match the spelling pattern. Place them in a discard pile.
5) Don’t forget to take cards from the draw pile to replace the same number you discarded.
6) If you run out of cards in the deck, shuffle the discard pile and use the cards again.
7) The first to get to the stop sign wins!
Other Free Spelling Games:
- Game 1: Snake Race (short a, a-e)
- Game 2: Rainy Day Spelling (short a, a-e, ai)
- Game 3: Train Game (a-e, ai, ay)
© 2015 – 2020, Anna G. All rights reserved.
Angela says
I love this idea! I will have to use this with my daughter soon. 🙂
Thanks again for linking up at Anything Goes last week. I would love it if you stopped by to link up a post or two at this week’s link-up. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! http://www.joyfocusedlearning.com/2013/11/anything-goes-link-up-2.html
Jodi says
I love the ideas. I think I am going to combine the dice game with the train game. First have the kids create their words using the dice worksheets. Then checking off matching words on the train game.
Anna Geiger says
Great idea, Jodi! Thanks so much for sharing it.
Jae says
I am unable to print this train game. It will go to the printer, but then halt printing with an error message that says “an error occurred while printing.” I don’t have this issue with any other printables. Any idea what the problem could be?
Anna Geiger says
Sorry I missed this, Jae. I haven’t heard of this problem. Did you try everything in this post?
https://www.themeasuredmom.com/how-to-download-free-files/
Melinda says
I would love to print a color version of the train game but it says “preview” across the board.
Thanks for the great games. My first graders love them.
Anna Geiger says
Oops! Fixed it. 🙂
Nexxie says
Thank you so much! My students loved these games!
Anna Geiger says
That’s so great to hear, Nexxie!
Misty says
This was a fun game! My student thought she was winning because she was getting to read more words than me! AMAZING!! I would love to have this same game with other long vowel sounds too. 🙂
Anna G says
I’m so glad she enjoyed it, Misty – and I love that she got in more reading practice :)). I’m currently sharing a lot of short vowel printables, but as my kindergartner moves into long vowel words I’ll be back to sharing this kind of resource again.
Liza says
Hello,
I can’t see where I can download and print the game board. Can you help me?
Kate Dowling says
Hi Liza!
This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. There is a green box at the end of the post (before the comments section) that says, “To get your free printable, CLICK HERE.” It has a red arrow in the box.
Enjoy your game!