Make your very own magnetic phonogram / alphabet letter tiles for a fun, hands-on way to practice spelling! FREE printable letter tiles template included!
My kids always like it when learning is interactive and fun! Knowing this, I was on the hunt for some hands-on activities / manipulatives to help my boys with their spelling. So, I decided to make some magnetic phonogram tiles. I enjoy easy DIY projects! So, of course, I’m going to share all the details with you so that you can make some as well! I promise, it’s super easy and you know I love making printables, so I even provide a free template for the tiles as well!
As I said, the tiles were super easy to make and my kids enjoy using them! They were able to practice spelling using their phonograms, as opposed to just individual letters of the alphabet.
And, they were able to use the tiles on anything magnetic; the fridge, cookie sheets, white boards, etc.
Want to make a set of magnetic phonogram / letter tiles for your kiddo(s) as well?
Supplies Need to Make the Phonogram Tiles:
- printable phonogram tiles file (Download further below)
- adhesive magnet squares (Read below for info on how to save $$ on these!)
- cardstock
- laminator (with laminating sheets) or clear contact paper
Directions for the Homemade Phonogram Letter Tiles:
- Print the phonogram tiles from the free download below onto cardstock and laminate them.
- Cut the tiles apart.
- Adhere the magnets and start having fun with spelling!
Save on Magnets:
You could purchase the self-adhesive magnets to save time or you could save money and do what I did.
Rather than purchasing magnets, I just used some old magnets from our refrigerator. I had lots of old magnets that I had gotten from all over; pizza places, doctor’s offices, realtors, etc.
Often times they would just come in the mail. In fact, I started saving them for occasions such as this!
It really doesn’t matter what is on the front of the magnet that you reuse. All you need is the magnetic backside! Here’s how I repurposed the old magnets to make the phonogram tiles.
First, I cut the magnets apart into little squares. Mine measured about 1/4 inch. Then, I used some tacky glue to adhere the magnets to the back of the tiles which were already laminated and cut.
I let them dry overnight and then viola – homemade magnetic phonogram tiles!
Don’t want to make them yourself?
Not interested in this DIY project, but still want the tiles? No problem! Instead of making the magnetic phonogram tiles yourself, you can also purchase letter tiles from the All About Spelling website (magnets purchased separately).
Or, you could purchase this magnetic phonics set that even comes with a built-in magnetic board!
I originally got the idea for the magnetic phonogram tiles from both the All About Spelling website AND our Spell to Write and Read curriculum!
By the way, if you’re using SWR, be sure to check out some of the other spelling activities and printables we used with the Spell to Write and Read curriculum.
More Phonogram Spelling Fun:
Looking for more ways to practice spelling with phonograms? Be sure to check out some of the following activities!
- Read it. Spell it. Write it. (free printable)
- Phonogram Board Games (free download)
- Letter Tiles App (digital spelling fun)
The phonogram letter tiles are a fun hands-on manipulative to help practice spelling. Make your own or purchase a set to use for some great spelling enrichment activities!
Download Instructions:
Ready to download the FREE DIY Magnetic Phonogram Tiles? Click the button below to get access to the printable pdf file.
This post was originally published on May 14, 2011.
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You are very welcome!!!
I am so happy to hear that you think these may help!!!
OMG!! Thank you for your hard work to make this. I have a little boy in my grade 1 class really struggling with blending and I think this will work to help him with his reading/spelling.
Thank you mama jean for inspiring me to use my previously created phonics foam block speed game templates for a new purpose!
http://childdrivenlearning.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/diy-magnetic-phonogram-letters-blend-digraph-word-family-tiles/
http://childdrivenlearning.wordpress.com/2012/11/28/phonics-speed-game-learning-word-families-blends-and-letter-sounds/
Yay! A fellow SWR user! Glad to know the tiles will be helpful for you!
What an awesome idea and thank you for it! I use SWR as well and this is going to make it easier to make words and sentences!
Hi we really thankful to you …
This is really something quite useful and amzing idea, very helpful for kidds..
One thing is for sure your blog is quite nice, &, informative AND FULL OF KNOWLEDGE too.
Thanks for sharing
Aadi
http://www.somanyceramics.com/ImportedTiles.aspx
Thanks for sharing this idea! We were needing some new spelling ideas-especially some hands on things! We use the Phonics Road but needed some color! I’m ordering the tiles from All About Spelling and I already have my magnets for the back as well as some small cookie sheets for the kids. Maybe spelling will click for us! I’m going to link to this post on my blog. : )
http://www.lextinacademy.blogspot.com
SUPER DUPER CUTE! Love this! I had requested some old thin magnets on Freecycle.org ages ago – so many people were happy to get them out of their house.
Yes, the multi-letter cards are perfect reminders for my 2 kiddos, too! They have been enjoying these for spelling practice this week. We just stick them on the door in our kitchen for fun time! I’m going to print the other spelling page you just posted today, but I wanted to thank you for posting these! They have been such a great addition to our SWR program. My son really struggles with spelling and he loves doing our practice this way! 🙂 Have a great day and God Bless!
Jenn,
I also made some phonogram tiles for my youngest because I needed tiles at the time and couldn’t wait to order premade ones and for delivery. I spent an afternoon cutting out the tiles while my older two were at Karate practice. I already had some of the little round magnets, but I like your idea of saving the FREE magnets that come in the mail. I save everything else, so why not those?
We also use SWR.
These are great! I use AAS, but it would be nice to have some extra tiles for other times (that way the AAS tiles don’t get lost!).
Love these!! I don’t know how I haven’t come across your blog yet, but I’m so glad I did via Valerie @thecraftyclassroom.com. Sheesh, have I been under a rock or what? Thanks for sharing all your great ideas for homeschooling. I have 4 at home ages 10yrs – 4 months. Busy, busy! Blessings,
Jasmine
Thanks Emily! We use SWR too and I have found that using the tiles makes my boys more aware of the multi-letter phonograms in various words. So many times when reading they start out trying to sound out each letter individually and I have to remind them to look for the multi-letter phonograms. Using the tiles is a visible reminder for them!
This makes me so excited!! I printed the phonogram tiles and will be using these when I can get them copied to a more sturdy paper and get some magnets! How fun!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing such a wonderful idea! We use SWR and I really love it!