5 Fun Reading Games For Kindergarten And First Grade Using Paper Cups

Finding fun literacy and phonics games kindergarten and first grade kids can play independently during stations and centers just got easier. These 5 games use fast prep, paper cups to build literacy skills.
Here are the five games we are playing today. Make sure to get the printable phonics game for kindergarten, free. See the link below under “Resources”.
The prep is easy. Grab some small paper cups and a marker. Write one letter of the alphabet on each cup. Do this for both capital and lowercase letters. That’s it. If you want to play the 3rd game we talk about in this video you will also need the free printable that is available below.
Here are the games in the order they appear. Click the chapters below to get to the game you want quickly.
00:00 Intro
00:45 Matching Game
02:14 Alphabetize Game
03:49 This To That Game
08:05 Alphabet Capture The Cup
10:00 Word Builder
Other Tips and Teacher Hacks
Matching
Place the cups so the letters are facing down. Play by turning two cups over to reveal the letter. If you get a capital and the corresponding lowercase letter you get to keep the cups. If they don’t match then turn them back over and the next player gets a turn.
Alphabetize
Place the cups in alphabetical order.
For an extra challenge start with z and work to a.
This To That Printable Game
Use the cups to make a 3 or four letter word. (Depending on which printable you are using.)
Write your word on the first group of cups on the printable, one letter on each cup. Switch out one letter in the word for a new letter to make a new word. Write in the old and new letters as shown in the video and write the new word. Keep transforming your word one letter at a time until you complete the printable.
(Play this game again and again by placing it in a page protector.)
Alphabet Capture The Cup
Divide the cups evenly between players. At the same time, each player places a cup letter side down on the table. On the count of 3 each player flips over their cup to reveal the letter. Whoever has the letter closest to “A” is the winner and gets all the cups in play. Play until one player has all the cups.
Word Builder
Use multiple sets. Each player gets 10 cups. First player builds a word using the cups. The second player uses at least one letter to build another word onto the play area. This is going to look like a crossword puzzle or scrabble game when you are done
You’ve found 5 fun phonics games you can do with ordinary paper cups. It’s a cheap and easy tool that kids will love to use to master their letter and decoding skills.
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Thanks to:
**Special thanks to Dawn The Singing Nurse for the awesome music. Check out her channel. / dawnginese
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Free Sample: Independent Letter & Sight Word Practice www.makingthebasicsfun.com/si...
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Free Resources:
This To That Freebie: www.makingthebasicsfun.com/cu...
Other Resources:
The Blueberry Pancake Problem by Angie Kantorowicz : amzn.to/3BboU9e
TpT Store: www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Got Games? 60+ Independent (and fun) learning games for K-1 Students- Print and Play-
The Early Finisher Solution -Games & More Learning System for Busy Teachers:
-(Look for your free sample game by clicking the link)--
pages.makingthebasicsfun.com/...
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Listen To Podcasts?
Catch my podcast Rockin’ This Teacher Thing every other Tuesday to help you in your teacher life. Made just for the early primary teacher.
Find me on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and more.
or
Come to www.makingthebasicsfun.com/podcast to listen.
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Other Mentioned Resources--
Cups: amzn.to/3KeHKP7
DISCLAIMER: All opinions are always 100% my own. This video and description MAY contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. Please understand that I have experience with, or have seen the value of all of these resources, and I recommend them because they are helpful. Do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals. Your support of this channel allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!

[@readgab]

Hi Angie! I just found your channel through the GWV Summit app. These are some great simple games!

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

Hi @readgab. I’m loving the summit. I’ll check your channel out too. 🙂

[@theresawagoner2847]

Angie, you are a life saver. As a retired middle school teacher taking on a long term substitute position in kindergarten, I was needing easy to assemble lessons and management strategies. Your videos have been a Godsend! Thank you.

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

You will do great. Let me know if I can help you.

[@josephinearroyo844]

Thanks a lot, this are great stations and easy to assemble. Greatly appreciated!

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

I’m glad it’s going to work for you.

[@emgreen100]

Love it all, thank you!

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

I’m glad you like them all. 😊

[@amietrudnowski534]

These are great! I love all the different levels. Thank you! ❤

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

You’re welcome. 😀

[@jennifercampbell1347]

I have used something similar for my little readers. I punch 2 inch circles with my big hole puncher. I use printed paper but you can use plain cardstock. I write a letter on each circle. I put sets of 2 in a small container. Then I pair off the kiddos. Then they "race" to see who can get a complete set in order first. Be ready for lots of laughs. I have sets of just 1 that they can do by themselves to put them in order.

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

This is so awesome. Thanks for sharing. I love this idea. 😀

[@vijipauly6107]

Thank you Angie for the Freebie❤

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

You’re welcome. Thanks for saying thanks 😊.

[@sarabruening1737]

LOVE THESE! Thank you!

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

Simple, cheap, and fun.

[@DawnGinese-TheSingingNurse]

So fun! Kids will love this! 🎵💜👍

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

Hello. So glad to hear from you. I hope all is well.

[@DawnGinese-TheSingingNurse]

doing well 🎉🎵💜👸🏻👍

[@carolinelewis952]

Love you and your channel! Thank you so much!

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

You’re very welcome. I hope you get what you need for your class.

[@jenniferburanday1715]

Thank you for your freebies 🥰

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

So glad you can use them. 😊

[@madelinesanders1975]

Wow, these ideas are amazing!

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

Yah. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂

[@adelacozlac366]

Great idea! Frank you for sharing!

[@adelacozlac366]

Oups! I meant "Thank you "

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

That’s funny because I didn’t even catch the typo. Anyway you are very welcome. Have a great day.

[@ptgardener3725]

Yes! And I already have an abundance of cups😊

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

@@ptgardener3725 it’s a simple and available tool.

[@ptgardener3725]

I made a set and students are obsessed 🤩

[@loveleenalag107]

very interesting Maam

[@TeachersMakingTheBasicsFun]

I hope you can use it to help students learn.