Words Ladders 1

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Grades 1–2 by Timothy V. Rasinski Kent State University







































To my own children—Mike, Emily, Mary, and Jenny— Word Wizards in their own right. A father father couldn’t couldn’t ask for better kids. kids.

Scholastic Inc. grants teachers permission to photocopy the reproducible pages in this book for classroom use. No other part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Permissions, Scholastic Inc., 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999. 10012-3999. Edited and produced by Immacula A. Rhodes Cover design by Brian LaRossa Cover and interior illustrations by Teresa Anderko Interior design by Sydney Wright ISBN-13: 978-0-545-07476-6 978-0-545-07476-6 ISBN-10: 0-545-07476-2 0-545-07476-2







































Contents Welcome to Word Ladders! . . . 6

Frosty Frosty Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Farm Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Warm Warm and Cozy . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Dinner's Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Under the the Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 .36

Inside Inside Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Baby Animals Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Color Color Change Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 .11

Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Animal Enemies . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Raise Your Voice Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Air Travel Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

One More More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

A Matter of Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Little Little Piggi Piggies es . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Around the Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Winter Wear Wear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Family Ties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Candleligh Candlelightt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Fun on a Bun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Eyeglass Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Opposites Attract . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Top to Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Sweet Sweet Sound Soundss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 .19

End of the Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Give a Dog a Bone . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Finish Line Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Here to There . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Dressing Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Get Well Well Soon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 .22

Childhood Childhood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 .49

In the Can . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Shopping Shopping Spree . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

America's Pastime . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Surprise! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Hop to It! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Stormy Stormy Days Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

On the the Playgro Playground und . . . . . . . . . . .26

Under Constru Construction ction . . . . . . . . . . .53

Fur Fact Factss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 .27

Car Trip Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 .54

Ship Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Climbing Climbing Limbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 .55

Pail Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Express Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Fancy Footwea Footwea . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 .30

City Livin

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 .57







































In the Attic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

In the Kitchen Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88 .88

Ride Ride Sharin Sharing g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Deep Sea Divers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Midday Midday Meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Snow Snow Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 .90 0

Different Different Taste Tastess . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 .64

Good Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

The Whole Whole Story . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Gettin Getting g There There . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92 .92

Utensils Utensils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 .66

Seasoning Selection . . . . . . . . . . .93

Share a Sip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Stars Stars and Stripes Stripes . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Tutti Fruity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Neigh-bors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Happy Birthda Birthdayy . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 .69

Furry Friends Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

New and Not-So-New Not-So-New . . . . . . . . .70

Toy Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Growing Things . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Transportati ransportation on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Lesson Lesson Learn Learned ed . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 .72

Score! Score! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Simon Simon Says Says . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Country Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

In the Water Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Fun for Everyone Everyone . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Home, Sweet Home . . . . . . . . . . .75

On the Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

Quick Wit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Around Town Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

Sky Scrapers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Time Flies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104

Cool Treat Treat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

And the Winner Is… . . . . . . . . . .105

All Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Line Up! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

Take a Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Cross-Country . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Woodsman Woodsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Beautiful Beautiful Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108 .108

Bucket Brigade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Good Goo d Scents Scents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109 .109

Finders Finders Keepers Keepers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 .83

On the Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Note This . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

M d wFi

d

11 1







































Open Wide! Wide! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115 .115

Just Peachy! Peachy! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142 .142

Feelings Feelings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116 .116

More Is Better Better . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143 .143

Perfect Pair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

Time's Time's Up! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144 .144

Fireworks Fireworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118 .118

Yard Yard Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

Friendship Friendship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

In the Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

On the Move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120

Brrrrr! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Pace Yourse Yourself lf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121 .121

Direct Direction ionss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 .148 48

Barber Barbersho shop p . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 .122 2

Time for for Breakfas Breakfastt . . . . . . . . . . .149 .149

Hungry! Hungry! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123 .123

A Clear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Car Troubl Trouble e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124 .124

Just for for You You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151 .151

Need a Lift? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 .125

Long Distance Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152 .152

Bookworm Bookworm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126 .126

Tasty Treat Treat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

A Little Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127

A Bundle of Surprises . . . . . . . . .154

Heads or Tails? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

Fried Snacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Peaks and Valleys Valleys . . . . . . . . . . . .129

Under the Big Top Top . . . . . . . . . . .156

Go, Go, Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130 .130

Better Better and Better Better . . . . . . . . . . . .157 .157

Blooms Blooms on Wheels . . . . . . . . . . .131

Boo! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Life Saver Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132 .132

Up, Up and Away . . . . . . . . . . . .159

Bread Bread and Butter Butter . . . . . . . . . . . .133

My Family Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Wild Noises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

On the Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Open-Air Open-Air Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135 .135

Coffee Coffee Brea Breakk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162 .162

In the Sky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

Greener Greener Pastures Pastures . . . . . . . . . . . .163

Sailing Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137 .137

Medal Winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164

School Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

Sleepytime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165









































Welcome to Word Ladders! In this book you'll find more than 150 miniword-study lessons that are also kid-pleasing games! To complete each Word Ladder takes just ten minutes but actively involves each learner in analyzing the structure and meaning of words. To play, students begin with one word and then make a series of other words by changing or rearranging the letters in the word before. With regular use, Word Word Ladders can go a long way toward developing your students' decoding and vocabulary skills.

adds a bit of meaning in the form of a definition (for example, “make a word that means to say something”), it helps extend students' understanding of words and concepts. All of these skills are key to students' success in learning to read and write. So even though Word Ladders will feel like a game, your students will be practicing essential literacy skills at the same time! N a a m me e R e ea a d d t t he c c lue s s, t he n w r ri t e e t t he w w o or S ta r d ds ta r s . rt t a a t t t t he b b o ot t to t o m m a a nd c c lim lim b b t t o o t t he to to p p.

How do Word Ladders work? Word Ladder begins with Let's say our first Word the word walk. directions ons will will tell tell walk. The directi students to change one letter in walk to make a word that means “to speak.” speak.” The word students will make, of course, is talk. talk. The directions for the next word will then ask students to make a change in talk to form another word—perhaps tale, Studen ents ts tale, or tall. tall . Stud will form new words as they work up the ladder until they reach the top rung. The final word is in some way way related to the first word—for example, run. studentss get stuck run. If student

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How do I teach a Word Word Ladder lesson? lesson? Word Ladders are incredibly easy and quick qu ick









































projector to demonstrate how to fill in the word on each rung. As their skills develop, students can begin doing the Word Ladders independently. 4.

At each new word, students will see two clues: the kinds of changes they need to make to the previous word ("change the first letter," letter," "change the vowel," and so on), and a definition of or clue to the meaning of the word. word. Sometimes this clue will be a sentence in which the word is used in context but is left out for children to fill fill in. in. Move Move from from word word to word word in this this way, up the whole Word Ladder.

Look for the Bonus Boxes with stars. These are particularly difficult words, or words with multiple meanings, that you may want to preteach. Or you can do these ladders as a group so that children will not get stuck on this rung.

That's the lesson in a nutshell! It should take no longer than ten minutes to do. Once

what a person can do or feel? Which do not?) Additionally, Additionally, you can create your own Word Ladders using copies of the blank puzzles on pages 166–168. Or you might invite students to make their own puzzles to exchange with classmates.

Tips for Working With Word Ladders Try these tips to give students extra help in doing the the Word Word Ladders: Ladders:

• List all the “answers” for the ladder (that is, the words for each rung) in random order on the board. Have students choose words from the list to complete the puzzle. • Add your own clues to give students extra help as they work through each rung of of a ladder ladder.. A recent recent event event in your classroom or community could even inspire clues for words. • If students are stuck on a particular rung, you might simply say the word









































Name Read the clues, then write the words. Start at the bottom and climb to the top.

farm animal with a snout and curly tail 5

Change the last letter.

a deep deep hole hole in the ground 4

an animal that lives with a person Change the vowel.

3

Change the vowel.










































what you do to food Change the first letter.

5

opposite of thin 4

this is worn on the head Change the vowel.

3

Change the first letter.










































opposite of in Change the first letter.

6

you use scissors to do this 5

Change the vowel.

an animal that has kittens Change the first letter.

4

a pig is is short short and and ___ ___ 3













































a color color made made by mixing red and white

6

Add a letter to the end.

5

the seed of a peach

used to attach things to clothes “Let me ___ your name tag to your shirt.” Change the last letter.












































a pet that that dogs dogs like like to chase Change the last letter.

7

6

to touch lightly Change the vowel.

a basebal baseballl playe playerr wears this on his head Change the first letter.












































a plane that flies very fast Change the first letter.

6

5

more than one man

past tense of meet “I ___ a new friend today!” Change the last letter.












































opposite of big Add a letter to the beginning.

5

a large large building building with with many stores in it 4













































part of the sound a clock clock makes makes “Tick-___”

5


another word for stone 4

Change the vowel.














































another word for father

Change the first

7














































a pet that that barks barks Change the vowel. 7














































opposite of fat Change the last letter.

5














































the sound a bell makes 5














































a dog does does this this with with its tail Change the first

6












































































































































































































































[Art: show a pond scene with a frog and toad.]
































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































a cert certai ainn one one “I want ___ marker to draw with.”

7

Add a letter to the beginning. 6

a big mouse-l mouse-like ike animal “I saw a ___ run across the street.”

“Let's put a straw ___ on the scarecrow's head.” Change the first letter.

5


past tense of sit Change the vowel. 4

what you do in a chair hair Change the first letter.

3

2

belongs to a man

to strike a target “I ___ the target with the beanbag.” Change the last








































a line line of railro railroad ad cars cars Add a letter to the beginning.

7

water that falls from the sky 6

“Yesterday, I ___ around the track four times.”

Add a vowel before the last letter.

5


an old piece of cloth “She used an old ___ to wash the car.” 4

Change the vowel.

another word for carpet

Change the last

3

letter.

2

soccer players do this a lot Change the first letter.








































meal eaten in the middle of the day

6


5

a lot of things things “Mom bought a ___ of grapes.” Change the vowel.

you can sit on this at the park Change the third letter.

4

3

to stretch to get something “I can ___ the books on the top shelf.” Take away the t he last letter, then

a sandy sandy area area next next to to the sea “We like to build sand castles at the ___.” Change the first letter.

2

opposite of fake








































when you really dislike something, you ___ it

6

Add a vowel to the end. 5

you wear this on your head at a birthday party Change the vowel.

a pot of boili boiling ng water water is very ___ Take away the t he third letter.

4

a person person who who gives gives a pa parrty 3

when you don't know where you are “We got ___ in the woods.”


2


opposite of win








































opposite of start Change the vowel.

6

5


you might see this insect at a picnic Take away the t he first letter.

“We learn how to read ___ write at school.”

4

how a dog breathes when it gets hot 3

a long long tim timee ago ago “In the ___, people did not have phones.” Change the third letter.

Change the third letter.

2

a role role in a play play “Joe played the ___ of the king in










































something you eat with Change the first letter.

5

meat that comes from a pig 4


a place place where where ships ships pick up and drop off loads 3

Add a letter before the last letter.

a pan use usedd for for










































the whole thing “I ate ___ the pizza by myself.”

6

most classrooms in a school open to this “We walked down the ___.”

Take away the t he first letter. 5

you wear this on your head to keep the sun out of your eyes

Take away the t he last letter, then add two.

4

Change the vowel.

3

a spicy spicy food food might might taste this way “The chili is very ___.”










































a sweet sweet fruit fruit that that has fuzzy skin Change the last letter.

5

opposite of war 4

a green green fruit fruit that that is is shaped like a light bulb

Take away the t he last letter, then add two.

3


this little round,










































another word for present 6

to pick up “Please help me ___ these boxes off the floor.”

5


past tense of light “She ___ the candle.” 4

to give permission “Mr. Jones ___ us use his rake.” Change the first


3

Change the vowel.










































opposite of new Take away the t he first letter.

6

5

to carry “Kay asked me to ___ her books.” Change the last letter.

you use a shovel to dig this in the ground Add a letter before the last letter.

4

3

a tool used used to dig weeds out of a garden












































where animals and crops are raised 6


5

a long long way way away away “The prince lived in a land land ___ away.” away.” Change the vowel.

the hair on an animal












































a ba baby by chic chicke kenn Change the vowel.

7

6

a woode woodenn porch porch “We sat outside on the ___.”

you do this to see if your answer is correct “Please ___ your answers on the answer key.” Take away the t he first letter, then add two.

5












































opposite of sit Add a letter to the beginning and end.

7

6

a kind kind of of food food container “Mom bought a ___ of beans at the store.”

“Her skin turned ___ after she sat in the sun.” Change the first letter.

5












































to drop to the bottom of a pool 6


opposite of healthy 5

a paper paper or plast plastic ic bag used at the

Change the vowel.












































another word for house


6

you use this to water flowers in the yard 5

opposite of find Take away the















































you do this with your brain Take away the first letter, then

6














































the color of the sky Change the first letter.

6














































“I love to eat ice ___ on a hot day.” Take away the

6














































this falls during a thunder storm Add a vowel

6














































“Sit in the ___ at the table.” Add a letter to

6







































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































opposite of fast Change the last letter.

7

6

a slit “Put your quarter in the coin ___.” Rearrange the letters.

many things Change the vowel. 5

another word for allows 4


animals that people own and take care of Rearrange the letters.

3

2

time that has gone by

a prob proble lem m “My baby brother can be a ___ at times.” Change the vowel.








































people get this cut off their head Change the first letter.

7

two of a kind 6

past tense of pay “I got ___ for raking leaves.”

5

Change the first letter. 4

to remove something “We've tried everything to get ___ of the mice.”


break into “Mice ____ our kitchen every night.” Add a vowel after the first letter.

3

the color of strawberries

Change the vowel. 2

Take away the t he second vowel.








































another word for sip Add a letter to the beginning.

7

a place place people people go go to ice skate 6


to blink only one eye Change the first letter.

5

a place place to wash wash dishes 4

opposite of stand

Take away the th e last letter, then add two.

Change the vowel. 3

2

used for sitting

a group group of thing thingss that belong together “This paintbrush goes with my paint ___.” Take away the








































another word for wheel


7

squares that cover a floor 6

to lean to the side “They had to ___ the chair to get it through the door.”


5

Change the last letter. 4

another word for until “We won't start the game ___ you get here.” Change the vowel.

to let someone know something Change the first letter.

3

past tense of fall 2









































vehicle used for moving big things “They used the pickup ___ to move the washer.”

7

Add a letter after the first letter. 6


a bird bird that that quack quackss Take away the last letter, then add two.

to push in the ends of a bed cover “My grandma likes to ___ me into bed at night.”

5

past tense of dig Change the vowel. 4

a poodle poodle or a hound hound is this Change the last letter.

3

a fema female le deer deer 2











































something you read Change the last letter.

7

a cowboy cowboy wear wearss this this on his foot 6


another word for a screw Change the vowel.

5

this is worn to hold up pants 4

you do this to a drum











































this makes the light that comes from a candle

7

Add a vowel to

a type of everg evergree reenn tree

the end. 6

to be the right size “This shirt is a perfect ___.”


5


a smal smalll amount amount Change the vowel. 4

a flying flying mamma mammall that










































a penny penny is round round and ___ Add a letter after the first letter.

7

another word for chubby 6

to touch softly “I gave him a ___ on the back.”

5


4

green peas grow in this


worn on each elbow and knee when roller blading Change the vowel.










































opposite of high Change the first letter.

7

6


feeling more than warm Change the vowel.

a word word used used in in a greeting “___ are you?”

5

another word for slap 4

to take a seat











































another word for 8

Add a vowel before the last letter.

another word for pole


street

7

to move your head up and down 6


“Most cats do ___ like to get wet.” Change the vowel.

5

4

soccer players try to kick the ball into this Change the first












































a small small wagon wagon with with two wheels and handles

7


a kitten kitten grows grows up to to be this 6

opposite of skinny Change the last













































another word for help Change the last letter.

7

to be sick or hurt 6

everything Take away the

Change the second letter.












































a slice slice of bread bread that has been baked Change the first letter.

7

another word for brag 6

another word for ship Add a vowel after













































sound that a bear makes Add a letter to the end.

7

to get bigger 6

a line line of things things “We put all the chairs

Add a letter to the beginning.












































a type of of cart cart that that can be pulled by a horse Add two letters to the end.

7

an insect 6

another word for cup Take away the t he last















































the color of the sky Take away the first letter, then add two

7














































people might go fishing here Change the first letter.

7














































to put words on paper Change the second letter.

7














































you wear a ring on this 7















































letters are put together to make this Change the first

7
















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Words Ladders 1

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