With all the school work, and home work the kids are just inundated with learning. But learning can be fun, and this is something I like to stress to my students. One way is through learning activities. This learning activity is geared towards CVC Words. CVC words are consonant vowel consonant words such as CAT, DOG, BAG.

Objective: Students will be able to recognize CVC Words created by the train.
Objective: Students will be able to create their own CVC Word Trains.

**Attached is the template for the trains and windows**

Edit: Realized I forgot the Materials, Here they are:
1 Foam Sheet any color slightly larger then a piece of paper for the train and window. (The three trains are paper size then you need extra for the windows)
Brads / Buttons / Black Foam for the wheels
Paper / Index Card for the letters
Hot Glue
Something to Cut with
Template provided or your own train making idea.

Template.pdf
Download

Step 1: Create the Caboose

The Caboose is the front of the train and will contain the first Consonant. This is made from a Foam Sheet cut into the template shape. (Template Provided) The wheels are separate, made out of brads.

Step 2: Create the Middle Train

The Middle Train is the second train and will contain the Vowel. This is made from a Foam Sheet cut into the template shape. (Template Provided) The wheels are separate, made out of brads.

Step 3: Create the Engine

The Engine is the end of the train and will contain the last Consonant. This is made from a Foam Sheet cut into the template shape. (Template Provided) The wheels are separate, made out of brads.

Step 4: Add the Windows

In order to make sure the child is putting the letters into the right parts of the train (Consonants in the first or last Vowels in the middle), the windows are shaped differently. The Consonants are shaped as squares and the Vowels are shaped as circles. Again these are cut from the foam, and then are glued onto the appropriate parts of the train.

Step 5: Make the Cards

The cards need to be slightly smaller then the window so they fit in, with a tab at the top for easy removal. For this ible I made them a set out of paper, but note cards would be more sturdy. Sample Beginning Consonants: B, P, D, S, R; Sample Vowels: A, E, I, O, U; Sample End Consonants: T, N, D, P, G. These letters would provide for the following words:

BAT        BAN     BAD   BOP   BAG    BET        BEN    BED    BEG     BIT       BIN     BID     BIG     BOT      BON   BUD     BOG     BUT        BUN      BUG     PAT    PAN   PAD    PET        PEN    PED    PEP     PEG PIT      PIN     PIG     POT      POD   POP     POG PUT
PUN      PUP     PUG   DAN   DAD   DEN       DIN      DIP     DIG      DOT   DON   DOG   DUD   DUG    SAT     SAD     SAG    SET
SIT        SIN       SIP SON   SOD   SOG       SUN    SUD    RAT     RAN     RAD   RAP RAG   BEN     RED    BIN      RID    RIP
RIG      ROT       RON ROD RUT    RUN      RUD    RUG

Step 6: Activities

Depending on your child / student's ability you can use this a few ways.

You make up CVC Trains and have the child decide if it is a real word or not (for example RET is not a real word but fits the CVC Pattern).
Have the child make up as many CVC Trains as they can think of in a set amount of time
Setup CVC Trains and Read Aloud / Together
What happens if the Engine is first and the Caboose is last?
Add another Middle Train for CVVC words (such as COOK / BOOK)