FREE CVC & CCVC Verb Game | Beginning Reader Action Words & Montessori Grammar

Help beginning readers practise decodable CVC and CCVC words while learning that verbs are action words.

Early readers need lots of practice sounding out short words, but phonics practice does not have to feel like another worksheet. This CVC and CCVC Verb Game gives children a playful, movement-based way to read simple decodable words and connect them to meaning.

All the cards are verbs. Children pick a card, read the word, act it out, and other children guess the action.

This makes the activity perfect for beginning readers who are learning to decode CVC and CCVC words, as well as children who have been introduced to verbs in Montessori grammar.

At a glance

Best for: CVC words, CCVC words, verbs, action words, beginning readers and Montessori grammar follow-up
Format: Printable PowerPoint file
Use for: Montessori language shelves, phonics practice, grammar lessons, small groups, movement games, homeschool reading and early finishers
Main skills: Decoding short words, reading verbs, connecting words to actions, oral language and grammar vocabulary
Prep: Print, cut and place the cards in a pile or basket
Main pain point solved: Gives children meaningful decoding practice without relying only on worksheets or flashcard drills

What’s included

This resource includes decodable verb cards such as:

• hit
• run
• get
• tag
• tap
• lit
• sit
• set
• tip
• tug
• cut
• dig
• swim
• dip
• lick
• pick
• crush
• rush

Perfect for

• beginning readers
• Montessori language shelves
• CVC word practice
• CCVC word practice
• verb lessons
• grammar follow-up
• phonics groups
• Science of Reading-aligned decoding practice
• homeschool reading
• small groups
• partner work
• movement breaks
• early finishers
• children who need active, hands-on literacy practice

Why this resource helps

Children need to connect decoding with meaning.

When a child reads run, clap, dig or jump-style action words, they are not just saying sounds. They are connecting print, speech, movement and meaning.

This helps beginning readers see that reading is purposeful.

The game also supports Montessori grammar because every word is a verb. After children have been introduced to verbs, this gives them a concrete and memorable way to experience verbs as action words.

How to use it

Cut up the word cards and place them face down or in a tidy pile.

A child picks a card, sounds out the word, and acts it out for the group. Other children guess the verb.

You can use this as:

• a small-group reading game
• a Montessori grammar follow-up
• a phonics warm-up
• a movement-based literacy activity
• a homeschool reading game
• an early finisher activity
• a quick review after introducing verbs

Montessori and Science of Reading connection

This resource works beautifully at the intersection of Montessori grammar and structured literacy.

Children practise decoding short, regular words while also experiencing the function of verbs through movement and oral language.

It supports:

• phonics
• decoding
• blending
• vocabulary
• grammar
• oral language
• movement-based learning
• concrete understanding of verbs
• Why teachers love it

Teachers and homeschoolers love this activity because it is quick, active and easy to use.

It helps you:

• make verb practice concrete
• give beginning readers decodable word practice
• add movement to phonics lessons
• support children who need active learning
• connect grammar and reading
• provide a low-prep literacy game
• give children meaningful repetition without another worksheet
• Created by a Montessori educator

This resource was created by Lisa from MontessoriKiwi, a Montessori-trained and New Zealand registered teacher, school principal and former homeschool parent.

MontessoriKiwi literacy resources are designed for real classrooms and homeschools. They are practical, low-prep and created to support independence, movement, oral language, decoding, grammar and meaningful early reading practice.