Fun High Frequency Words Printable – Pirate Secret Code Hunt

Set up a fun High Frequency Words Pirate Secret Code Hunt using simple, DIY materials with a pirate treasure map, some dry erase pens, play dough (any kind) and sight word cards.

This activity incorporates practising beginning sounds. With these sight word printable activities, kids use the phonics picture codes to work out the initial letters then see the ‘secret word’. You can use simple dough or play dough to make up an ‘island’ so the kids look for the sight words and stick them into the dough. This is hands on, pirate learning fun for all!

High Frequency Word Activity With Secret Codes

This is a great activity to add to your stations for reading sight words. Actually working with hands and remembering the letters with the sounds and then writing the sight words will be a great tool to help kids visualise their sight words.

It is very easy to setup, once you download the file *below* print the mats and the sight words cards. You can choose the set you need, currently there are sight word activity mats for preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade. Laminate the mats (there are four treasure mats) and one code for the kids to look for when they are identifying the beginning sounds.

High Frequency Words Printable Mats – Beginning Sounds Codes What you’ll Need:

• Laminator (I have a basic one from Officeworks, here’s a basic one from Amazon Scotch Thermal Laminator
• Letter tiles, you can find some here Scrabble Tiles (500 Wood Letter Tiles)
• Scissors
• Lamination Pockets
• Play dough

This is the guide in case the kids find it difficult to read the pictures. These are the letters along with one picture corresponding to the beginning sound. Once they get the hang of it, they’ll be able to do the rest without looking at the guide!

The mat above shows one of the treasure maps included in the Sight Word Activity Beginning Sounds pack. There are four for the first set of Dolch Pre-primer sight words.

Once you’ve cut up the sight word cards, you could possibly lay them out beside the ‘island’ dough, so the kids can see and find them clearly.

Pre primer sight words printable set

The kids then begin by writing the letters underneath each beginning sound picture code. They make out the word and find it in the cards. They then place it into their ‘islands’. I used this as a fund racing activity, the group that has the most amount of sight words on their island wins.

The sight word beginning sounds mats can also be used in different ways (see below).

To further practice phonics skills, get the students finding the letters (I used scrabble letters here but you could use any that you have on hand) and placing them onto the mats.
Ready to download the file?

You can download the Pre-primer Set FREE HERE by inputting your name and email address.

You can also buy the High Frequency Words Printable Bundle Pirate Maps for primer, first and second grade set here. Click on the image below to grab your set!

Get your printable phonics secret code mats at the end of this post by signing up via the form.

Download your FREE copy below.

The primer set is now available along with the pre-primer set. Just head to the link High Frequency Words Pirate Printable Bundle to buy it or click on the image below. 🙂

More high frequency words worksheets to explore:

• 3 of the Best Common Core Kindergarten Sight Words Worksheets and Activities
• 15+ Ridiculously Easy Printables to teach Sight Words for ESL Students
• Dot Marker Reading Sight Words for ESL Students – Fun FREE Dab a Dot Worksheet

Want a creative way to incorporate math and literacy into your daily lessons? See the benefits of playdough here and check out the ultimate play dough learning mats kit!Save