Going on a word search (also known as a word hunt) is one of my absolute favorite activities to do with a book after reading it. Word hunts not only give beginning readers a reason to re-read text, but also help them to see how phonics patterns, such as word families, are applied to reading and spelling.
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A word search works particularly well with phonics-based books, like the BOB Books. We used our BOB Books Rhyming Words set, the newest set in the BOB Books collection, for this activity this time (read more about this set here).
Let’s Go on a Word Search
Before going on your word search, it is important to read the book with the child first. This ensures that the child knows how to read the words and comprehend the text, when appropriate.
Once you have read it, either on the same day or a subsequent day, tell your child, “We get to go on a word hunt!” If you are using the BOB Books Rhyming Words set, I have created free printable word search templates that correlate with them. You can download them all HERE.
Ahead of time, print off (or create your own) one of the word family word search charts. Tell your child that you’re going to re-read the book and search for words that fit that particular word family. (We used the -ed page.) I also printed off our re-reading eyes and attached it to a popsicle stick, from our Simple Writing Lessons Series, to make re-reading a little more fun.
Once the child finds a word that fits the word family pattern, ask him to write it in the chart. This is a great way for readers and spellers to see that words that rhyme are often times spelled similarly. Be picky about spelling. There is no excuse to misspell the word! 🙂
After all the words are written from the text, see if you and your child can think of more word family words that would fit the pattern and write them in the chart. Try to stick with words that are spelled using the same word pattern, as sometimes rhyming words are not spelled exactly the same (red and head). Talk about this with your child and point out the differences.
Find more FREE BOB Books Rhyming Words printables HERE.
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~Becky
Shirley says
hat
Anna says
I just bought the BOB books at Costco, this box would go nicely with the collection sets!
Emily says
I didn’t know Costco has BOB books. How much do they run?
Mayla M says
Hat 🙂
Mary Happymommy says
CAT
Shelley says
chat! Love them for my daughters and my classroom too!
msdeth says
Just saw the BOB books in our school book order! Was hedging on whether we could budget for them right now but this would be a great thing for us to win!
Jessica says
RAT!
zekesmom10 says
Secretariat! 🙂
Ana Anaya says
Thank you for taking your precious time to create such great FREE printables!
Jean says
I enjoy your new and fresh ideas.
liz says
Fantastic website, love it
Jenni says
This looks fun!
Dawn Brosnan says
Sat!
Terri says
That fat cat sat. 🙂
Dianna says
Love these printables. Printing as I leave a comment. Thanks
Leslie says
Drat!
Judith Martinez says
bat I love the Bob Books!
Faith B says
Fat
Jenny McGoldrick says
Mat
Jennifer says
Cat!
Lindsay says
Sat
Tara says
I’m searching for BOB abc books.. thought that would be a nice start for my kiddies to begin reading!
BAT!
Emily says
Rat!
kridina says
Pat!
Oh, and hello 🙂
Jen says
Splat!
Rhoda says
The cat and the rat sat on the dark brown mat waiting to hear if they won the BOB Book before falling over asleep–splat!
busweet says
I love the BOB Books! I use them in my special ed classroom with one or two of my very low readers to build up their confidence.
Kat says
Flat
Tammy Crooks Drost says
Matt
Jennifer Olszowy says
flat, hat, sat, Matt, that, fat. When I taught school my kids loved rhyme time. Of course, now my own child does too!
Becky Martin says
chat
sara says
mat
Beverly Ebersole says
Sat
Mary Lee Olson says
The flat rat was afraid of the cat.
OMazing Kids says
Cat
Tracie says
Vat
Cori white says
Gnat!
Ashley Swistak says
splat!
Jen C. says
scat
Karen W says
flat
Kate says
Love bob books!!
Christine B says
These look awesome!
Christine B says
and a rhyming word: scat
Jesi says
Hello! Would love to win these for my Kindergartener! Thank You!
Stephanie C says
We love BOB books in our house.
Sarah says
rat
Penny K says
mat / hello 🙂
Jill says
Cat. I would love to have this set, thanks!
Caroline Frahm says
drat
Melissa says
Hello!!–Cat in the Hat-my favorite!!
Tanya Rubezhov says
Sweat. 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway.
Danelle says
This is great, thanks for the opportunity. I have a few new readers that could totally benefit!
AnaMaree Ordway says
CAT! And hello 😉 We are halfway through Set 1, loving these books!
Jen says
Cat. 🙂
Amatullah says
An awesome give away, I am sure everyone wants to be a winner.
rejoicedover says
Scrat
Paige says
Fat rat, Tat, sat.
Vicky Katz says
The Katz family would love this.
: )
thanks for the awesome job u do!
jennifer mathesz says
there was a bat that fell on a cat who ran over the rat who lived in the hat!
Laura Gossman says
Sat
Anita Collier says
drat
Marie says
Hello!
Drat!
Kim says
Starting out homeschooling! What a blessing!
Roxanna Alcantra says
Cat! 🙂
Jamie Olson says
This is fantastic!
Elizabeth says
Bat! Hi there!
Kristina Best says
Mat! and Hello
Kristi says
Drat
Love your freebies & give aways. So appreciate you!!!
Phoebe says
That. 🙂 Thanks!
gitta acton says
I can’t wait to use the BOB books with my students!!!
Tammy Jones says
Mat! I love your printables, thank you!
nicchk1@comcast.net says
Bat!…we love bats:)
Bonnie Sue says
sat
Michelle Ellen ayala says
Loooove this idea! We so this without the extra fun stuff can’t wait to try
Carrie says
Cat
Yael says
THAT!!! Hi, I’m looking forward to do all THAT with my daughter!!
dowbright2 says
Extremely helpful to use in conjunction with the Bob Books, especially for kids with reading problems and issues! I’ll use them during tutoring sessions with my online students. Thank you! 😀
thisreadingmama says
Yes, they are! I’m so glad you can use it! 🙂