FREE CVC & CCVC Verb Game | Beginning Reader Action Words & Montessori Grammar

Help beginning readers practise decodable CVC and CCVC words while learning that verbs are action words. Early readers need lots of practice sounding out short words, but phonics practice does not have to feel like another worksheet. This CVC and CCVC Verb Game gives children a playful, movement-based way to read simple decodable words and connect them to meaning. All the cards are verbs. Children pick a card, read the word, act it out, and other children guess the action. This makes the activity perfect for beginning readers who are learning to decode CVC and CCVC words, as well as children who have been introduced to verbs in Montessori grammar. At a glance Best for: CVC words, CCVC words, verbs, action words, beginning readers and Montessori grammar follow-up Format: Printable PowerPoint file Use for: Montessori language shelves, phonics practice, grammar lessons, small groups, movement games, homeschool reading and early finishers Main skills: Decoding short words, reading verbs, connecting words to actions, oral language and grammar vocabulary Prep: Print, cut and place the cards in a pile or basket Main pain point solved: Gives children meaningful decoding practice without relying only on worksheets or flashcard drills What’s included This resource includes decodable verb cards such as: hit run get tag tap lit sit set tip tug cut dig swim dip lick pick crush rush Perfect for beginning readers Montessori language shelves CVC word practice CCVC word practice verb lessons grammar follow-up phonics groups Science of Reading-aligned decoding practice homeschool reading small groups partner work movement breaks early finishers children who need active, hands-on literacy practice Why this resource helps Children need to connect decoding with meaning. When a child reads run, clap, dig or jump-style action words, they are not just saying sounds. They are connecting print, speech, movement and meaning. This helps beginning readers see that reading is purposeful. The game also supports Montessori grammar because every word is a verb. After children have been introduced to verbs, this gives them a concrete and memorable way to experience verbs as action words. How to use it Cut up the word cards and place them face down or in a tidy pile. A child picks a card, sounds out the word, and acts it out for the group. Other children guess the verb. You can use this as: a small-group reading game a Montessori grammar follow-up a phonics warm-up a movement-based literacy activity a homeschool reading game an early finisher activity a quick review after introducing verbs Montessori and Science of Reading connection This resource works beautifully at the intersection of Montessori grammar and structured literacy. Children practise decoding short, regular words while also experiencing the function of verbs through movement and oral language. It supports: phonics decoding blending vocabulary grammar oral language movement-based learning concrete understanding of verbs Why teachers love it Teachers and homeschoolers love this activity because it is quick, active and easy to use. It helps you: make verb practice concrete give beginning readers decodable word practice add movement to phonics lessons support children who need active learning connect grammar and reading provide a low-prep literacy game give children meaningful repetition without another worksheet Created by a Montessori educator This resource was created by Lisa from MontessoriKiwi, a Montessori-trained and New Zealand registered teacher, school principal and former homeschool parent. MontessoriKiwi literacy resources are designed for real classrooms and homeschools. They are practical, low-prep and created to support independence, movement, oral language, decoding, grammar and meaningful early reading practice. Try These Related Science of Reading Resources If your child or students enjoyed this CVC and CCVC Verb Game, these related MontessoriKiwi resources give you more hands-on, Montessori-aligned Science of Reading practice for phonemic awareness, decoding, sentence reading and early comprehension. Modern Montessori Science of Reading Bundle A larger Montessori-aligned reading bundle for phonics, decoding, spelling patterns, CVC words, digraphs, silent e, vowel teams and hands-on literacy shelf work. Decodable Nouns in the Environment CVC, CVCC, CCVC – FREE A free companion-style resource for reading decodable nouns and labelling items in the classroom or homeschool environment. Modern Montessori Reading: Sound Boxes for Segmenting CVC Words Hands-on Elkonin-style sound box mats to help children hear and segment individual sounds before blending words for reading. Montessori Phonemic Awareness: Odd One Out Initial Sounds A tactile early phonemic awareness activity that helps children identify initial sounds before moving into letters and word reading. Modern Montessori Reading SOR CVC Picture to Word Match CVC picture-to-word matching designed to support continuous blending and early decoding. Modern Montessori Reading SOR CVC Picture to Sentence Match Helps early readers move from CVC word reading into simple sentence comprehension. Modern Montessori Reading SOR CVC Categorising Words Children read CVC words and sort them into categories, gently connecting decoding with meaning and early grammar preparation. Montessori CVC Sentence Frames for Early Readers Decodable sentence-building practice to help children move from reading CVC words to building simple sentences. Modern Montessori Reading SOR Digraph Picture to Word Match A next-step phonics resource for children ready to read words with sh, th, ch and ng after CVC and CCVC practice. Modern Montessori Reading Comprehension Cards Self-correcting sentence comprehension cards using CVC words, CCVC words, digraphs, split vowel words and high-frequency words. Best value: For a wider Montessori-aligned Science of Reading library, start with the Modern Montessori Science of Reading Bundle .