Description
Give students a clear, structured way to practice CVC decoding with these Science of Reading-aligned Read and Cover by Code mats. Each mat shows CVC words with a color code. Students read each word, find the matching picture on the mat, and cover it with a counter in the matching color.
With 61 unique mats organized into word families, short vowels, and mixed CVC words, there is a mat for every stage of CVC instruction.
What’s Included
61 print-and-go Read and Cover mats. Color and black-and-white versions of all 61 mats included (122 pages total)
Word Family Mats (26 mats)
- Short a: -ab, -ad, -ag, -am, -an, -ap, -at, -ax
- Short e: -ed, -en, -et
- Short i: -ib, -id, -ig, -in, -ip, -it
- Short o: -ob, -od, -og, -op, -ot
- Short u: -ub, -ug, -um, -un
Short Vowel Review Mats (25 mats)
- Short a: 5 mats
- Short e: 5 mats
- Short i: 5 mats
- Short o: 5 mats
- Short u: 5 mats
Mixed CVC Mats (10 mats)
- All five short vowels on one mat ideal for review
Why Teachers Love This Resource
- Built-in progression:Â Move from word family focus to short vowel review to mixed CVC practice
- Easy to run: All you need is a set of colored counters — just print, laminate, and play
- Easy differentiation:Â Assign word family mats for students who need focused support, short vowel review mats for consolidation, and mixed CVC mats for students ready for a challenge
- Color and black-and-white options:Â Use color mats for centers and black-and-white for small groups, sub plans, or take-home practice
How to Use This Resource
These kindergarten CVC mats are ideal for:
- Literacy centers and phonics rotations
- Independent practice
- Early finishers
- Morning bins / soft start
- Sub plans
Skills Covered
This resource supports students as they practice:
- Decoding CVC words across all five short vowels
- Word family pattern recognition
- Letter-sound correspondence
- Matching written words to pictures
- CVC word reading fluency
Printing Notes
- Laminate color mats for repeated use and pair with colored counters.
- Print in black and white for a low-ink option
If you are teaching CVC words and want a print-and-go phonics center that students can run independently, these Read and Cover by Code mats give you 61 ready-to-use mats that work from the very first word family all the way through mixed short vowel review. All students need is a set of colored counters or pencils to get started.
