Turkey Fun Glued Sounds Practice -old, -ost, -olt

Mastering phonics can feel like solving a puzzle, especially when it comes to tricky words that break the usual rules.

clipart image of turkey with colorful feathers showing images with the dlued endings that match the belly of the turkey

For first graders learning to read, understanding glued sounds is an essential step in tackling these exceptions. Words like “wild,” “find,” and “bold” follow patterns that seem like closed syllables but sound different, making them challenging to learn.

With this turkey-themed activity, kids can practice these special “wild words” while having fun. These printables include turkeys labeled with glued sounds like “ild,” “ind,” “old,” “ost,” and “olt,” along with matching feathers that display words or pictures representing these sounds.

Children can match the feathers to the correct turkey by reading the words or identifying the pictures. This hands-on activity makes practicing phonics enjoyable while reinforcing essential reading skills.

Phonics activities like this one help children build confidence in recognizing exceptions to standard syllable rules. By focusing on glued sounds, kids learn that some letter combinations behave like a single unit, making their pronunciation feel more natural.

Reading the words aloud is a critical step, as it helps young learners internalize the long vowel sounds in patterns like “ild” or “ost,” even though they look like closed syllables. Words such as “host” and “child” become easier to recognize, boosting fluency in everyday reading.

This activity is perfect for parents and teachers looking for an interactive way to support phonics learning. Beyond matching feathers, you can turn the game into a storytelling challenge by encouraging kids to use the words in sentences. For example, “The wild child found gold in the cold.” This kind of creative play deepens understanding while keeping practice fun and memorable.