This GO FISH literacy card game is a fun, interactive way to help early readers build confidence decoding and reading CVC short vowel A words. Perfect for literacy centers, small-group phonics practice, or one-on-one intervention, this game combines phonemic awareness with the excitement of a classic card game. Students will strengthen their ability to sound out, blend, and recognize CVC words while practicing vocabulary in context.
Why Teachers Love It
Teachers appreciate the two levels of play: picture-supported cards for beginners and text-only cards for students ready to focus on decoding and fluency. With 24 different CVC words featuring the short “a” sound, students receive repeated, meaningful practice while staying engaged through game play. This resource is low-prep, easy to implement, and provides targeted phonics support aligned to early reading skills.
What’s Included
- 24 CVC short vowel A word cards with matching picture support
- 24 text-only CVC short vowel A cards for reading practice
- Color and black & white versions for flexible printing
- Clear teacher directions with two different play options
How to Play
- Shuffle the cards and deal 5 cards to each player. Place the rest in a draw pile.
- Students take turns asking for a card to complete a pair (e.g., “Do you have cat?”).
- If the other player has the card, they hand it over and the pair is laid down. If not, they say “Go Fish!” and the student draws.
- Continue until all matches are made. The player with the most pairs wins.
Version 1: Use picture support cards to help beginning readers make connections between words and images.
Version 2: Use text-only cards to focus on phonics, decoding, and reading fluency.
Perfect For Teachers Searching For
- CVC short vowel A literacy games
- phonics card games for beginning readers
- Go Fish games for reading practice
- hands-on decoding and phonemic awareness activities
- printable literacy center games
- ESL and ELL phonics support resources
Pair It With
For extended CVC practice, pair this game with the CVC Short Vowel Bingo Game from Hot Chocolate Teachables. Students can practice decoding words through Go Fish and then reinforce fluency and recognition skills with a fast-paced bingo game.
Also Available on TPT
Prefer shopping on Teachers Pay Teachers? You can also purchase this resource here: GO FISH Literacy Card Game for CVC Short Vowel A – Word & Picture Support . A great addition to your phonics and early literacy toolkit.