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ar Mystery Box

Phonics is the foundation of strong reading and spelling skills, and games are a fantastic way to make learning enjoyable! At Smart Boarding School, we’re excited to share our free "ar Mystery Box" phonics game—a hands-on activity designed for grade 1 and grade 2 students mastering the "ar" sound.

This game is perfect for classrooms or home learning, offering an interactive and exciting way to reinforce phonics lessons.

ar Mystery Box.jpg

What’s the "AR Mystery Box" Game?

The "ar Mystery Box" is a two-player game where students practice spelling and recognizing words with the "ar" digraph. With a mix of strategy, spelling challenges, and luck, this game keeps students engaged while boosting their confidence in phonics.

 

What You’ll Need

To set up the game, print:

  • Page 2: The Mystery Box score board (one for each player). Laminating this page allows you to reuse it with dry erase markers.

  • Pages 3–10: Double-sided cards with "ar" words. Print these back-to-back and cut them out.

 

How to Play

Here’s how to bring the "ar Mystery Box" game to life:

  1. Set Up the Cards

    • Spread all 24 Mystery Box cards face down on a flat surface. Make sure the picture of the box is facing up.

  2. Player 1’s Turn

    • Player 1 chooses a card by pointing to it (without picking it up).

    • Player 2 picks up the card and reads the "ar" word aloud.

    • Player 1 writes the word on their score board.

  3. Check the Spelling

    • Player 2 checks Player 1’s spelling. If it’s correct, Player 1 earns 1 point.

  4. Keep or Discard the Card

    • Player 1 decides whether to keep or discard the card:

      • If they keep the card, they add or subtract the points written under the word.

      • If they discard the card, it’s set aside, and no points are added or subtracted.

  5. Switch Turns

    • Player 2 selects a card, and the process repeats.

  6. End of the Game

    • The game ends once all cards have been played. The player with the most points wins!

 

Why Students Love This Game

The "ar Mystery Box" game blends phonics practice with exciting gameplay elements:

  • Interactive Spelling Practice: Students actively write and check "ar" words, reinforcing their spelling skills.

  • Critical Thinking: Deciding whether to keep or discard cards introduces a fun strategic element.

  • Friendly Competition: Players stay motivated as they compete to score the most points.

 

Download the Free Game

Bring the fun and learning to your phonics lessons with the "AR Mystery Box" game! Click the button below to download your free copy and start playing today.

At Smart Boarding School, we believe that learning should be joyful and engaging. Try the "AR Mystery Box" game and watch your students sharpen their phonics skills while having a blast!

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