A Valentine’s Day word tray lets children build a high-frequency word one letter at a time. Keep the model in view and help children check the order before they reread the completed word.
At a glance
Start with a short word, set out the required letter tiles, and check the final word from left to right.
1. Choose a familiar model word
Pick a word from a recent lesson and read it aloud. Point to the letters children already know and briefly model the part that needs extra attention.
2. Set out just enough tiles
Choose the tiles that spell the word and one or two distractors when children are ready. Print extra tiles for repeated letters.
3. Fill the tray left to right
Ask children to find the first letter on the model and put the matching tile in the first spot. Keep going until each space has a tile.
4. Read and check the word
Point across the model and the built word. If a letter is out of order, let the child move it and reread the whole word.
5. Record the word or build it again
Offer the recording sheet when handwriting is part of the lesson. For a second reading check, show the word without the cookie tiles.
A classroom example
In a fictional kindergarten group, Elsie builds see with one e. Her teacher asks her to point to each letter on the model. Elsie notices the second e, adds it, and reads see again.
Companion printable
The 13-page editable PDF includes 20 word trays, 104 lowercase heart-cookie tiles, a recording sheet, a center label, and setup directions.
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