How to use Games in Literacy Intervention
Sometimes, when we share that we spend a good chunk of time in our literacy intervention playing games, we get a bit of a side-eye.
We want to start by saying games aren’t just a way to “fill time” or keep students busy.
When we are using games in our literacy intervention, those games are chosen with a very specific purpose. They directly reinforce the skills our students need most. And when we do this effectively, we see faster growth and better engagement.
Why Games Are Perfect for Review
1. Games allow for targeted practice
If a student is struggling with dividing VC/CV words for example, you don’t need a brand new lesson — you need a quick, engaging way to review and reinforce that skill.
For example, we might play Rabbit Hole to review that VC/CV division pattern.
2. Games can spiral back.
Students often need refreshers on skills you’ve already taught. Games let you re-expose them to those patterns without pulling out another worksheet.
3. Games make review fun.
Let’s be honest, nobody gets excited about “review lists.” But a game? Students will happily practice the same words again and again.
How to Find the Right Games
Step 1: Consider your students’ needs.
What skills are they struggling with?
Where do you see consistent errors?
What needs reinforcement from past lessons?
Step 2: Choose a game that aligns.
Decoding Silent E words? → Play Silent E War (students must read the word correctly to win the card).
Struggling with syllable division? → Try Rabbit Hole (VC/CV division practice).
Need a spiral review of multiple patterns? → Use Match It (students categorize words by type).
The other thing to keep in mind here is that while you can target specific word recognition concepts, you can also weave in vocabulary and language concepts as well by having students provide definitions, synonyms, antonyms, multiple meanings, part of speech, etc. which can help take your word recognition games to an entirely new level.
Example in Action
Let’s say you’re working with a student who consistently struggles with VCe words (“make,” “hope,” “ride”).
You could pull out Silent E War. Each time they flip a card, they have to read the word correctly before comparing it to the opponent’s card to see which number was highest.
In one round, you’ll get dozens of exposures to the target skill.
The student is motivated to keep going, because it’s a game — not just another drill.
That’s the power of review games: intentional, high-repetition practice in a way students actually enjoy.
Teacher Tip
Don’t overcomplicate it! You don’t need a different game for every single skill. What you need are a handful of anchor games you can pull from and adapt based on your students’ needs.
Think of it like a toolbox. Our most used games include:
Word War → great for decoding/vocab across ALL patterns
Match It → great for review across syllable types that can be used in SO many different ways
Pick the game that best aligns with your students’ current gaps and let them get the reps they need in a fun way.
Takeaway
When you use games to review and reinforce skills, you’re not just making lessons fun. You’re:
Meeting students exactly where they are.
Giving them the multiple exposures they need.
Building mastery without boredom (for your students but also for you!).
Sounds like a win-win-win to us!
Want More?
If you’re interested in bringing games into your instruction, check out the Literacy Game Plan Framework in our Spotlight PD: The Literacy Game Plan: Using Games to Teach, Engage, and Differentiate - Coming December 2025!
You’ll learn exactly how to:
Match included games to student needs.
Adapt them for different skill areas.
Create massive engagement for students across grade levels.