CVCe Search and Cover Mats – Free Silent E Phonics Practice with Color-Coded Word Key
Guided Phonics + Beyond
Free CVCe search and cover mats. Students decode silent e words, match them to color-coded keys, and cover them with cubes.
These CVCe Search and Cover mats add color-coded support to phonics decoding. Students look at the picture along the bottom strip, note the color code, decode the silent e word, and then search the board to find and cover it with the matching cube. This interactive activity reinforces phoneme-grapheme mapping, decoding, and vocabulary while keeping students engaged in a science of reading-aligned routine.
Example: A picture of cane is paired with a red code. Students decode cane, then cover it on the mat with a red cube.
Color-coded system helps track accuracy and provides self-check support
Builds automatic recognition of vowel-consonant-e word patterns
Great for small-groups, literacy centers, or partner games
Works with cubes, counters, or other manipulatives for multisensory practice
These mats blend decoding and vocabulary practice with a hands-on activity that makes silent e words fun and memorable.
Submit any requests/questions to littlemindsatworkLLC@gmail.com
Tara West
Teacher-Author
Tara West is a dedicated educator and the founder of Little Minds at Work, an educational platform designed to provide teachers with creative and engaging resources for early childhood education. With a focus on developing innovative lesson plans, classroom strategies, and activities, Tara brings her passion for teaching to life, empowering teachers to foster meaningful learning experiences for their students.
