Strengthen your students' understanding of the DGE, GE, and TCH spelling patterns with this engaging collection of board games, card games, and recording sheets. Designed for 2nd grade and up, this resource gives students hands-on practice reading, matching, and applying these tricky spelling patterns through game-based learning. Perfect for literacy centers, small group instruction, or independent word work.
 
This resource includes board games, card games, and recording sheets, giving you flexible, low-prep options for weeks of practice.
 
What's Included:
Card Game: Word and definition cards for all three patterns — DGE, GE, and TCH. One set of cards, multiple ways to play — use them for memory, snap, go fish, sorting, matching, or quiz a friend.
Board Games: Individual board games for each spelling pattern (DGE, GE, TCH), comparison boards for GE vs DGE and TCH vs DGE, and a combined revision game. Students roll, read, and find words in the center grid.
Recording Sheet: Students record the base word and identify the spelling pattern it follows — perfect for adding accountability to game play.
How to Play Student Instructions: Clear, student-friendly instructions for the board games.
Print-and-Play: Minimal prep required — just print and go.
 
Spelling Patterns Covered:
DGE — used after a short vowel before the /j/ sound (bridge, fudge, badge, edge, hedge, judge, nudge, dodge, lodge, wedge, fridge, sledge)
GE — used after a long vowel or consonant before the /j/ sound (page, cage, stage, huge, change, orange, village, garage, package, bandage, cabbage, voyage)
TCH — used after a short vowel before the /ch/ sound (catch, match, watch, witch, kitchen, switch, fetch, sketch, scratch, patch, stretch, hatch)
 
Perfect For:
Literacy centers and rotations
Small group instruction
Independent word work
Partner and cooperative games
Phonics intervention and review
Homework and practice programs
 
The GE vs DGE and TCH vs DGE comparison boards are where the real learning happens — students must think about the vowel sound before choosing the right pattern. Focus on one pattern at a time or combine them for a challenge. This resource gives you maximum flexibility with minimal prep.