Word-Mapping / Elkonin Boxes (PDF)
Say-it-slow worksheets with empty sound boxes for CVC, digraph, and blend words — push a counter into each box.
Elkonin boxes turn a spoken word into a row of boxes, one per sound — the classic way to teach a child to hear every sound in a word before spelling it.
What’s inside
- Page 1 — 3-sound CVC words with three boxes each: cat, sun…
- Page 2 — 3-sound digraph words: ship, chin… (sh and ch get one box each).
- Page 3 — 4-sound words with consonant blends: frog, stop…
Every word in this PDF (12)
Handy for checking the list fits your child before printing, or for making your own games.
ship, chin, thin, wish, chop, moth, frog, stop, flag, swim, trap, clap
How to use it
- Put a counter (a coin, bead or button) under each box.
- Say the word slowly. For each sound, push one counter up into a box.
- Point to each box and say its sound, then write the letters in the boxes.
- The digraph page teaches the key idea: sh is two letters but one box.
Who it’s for
Ages 4–6, Stage 3 onward — segmenting is the spelling side of blending.
Where it fits: Stage 3 — Blending & Segmenting (CVC Words)
Goes well with
Teach phonics online — one short lesson a day
Sign in free and follow a plan that remembers where you are. Right here in your browser, on phone, tablet or computer — nothing to download.
- 92 step-by-step lessons, SATPIN first
- Big flashcards to show your child
- Games, checkpoints and progress for every sound
For little ones (2–6) there’s also our sound-play game on iPhone & iPad and Android.