Turn decoding into a hands-on adventure!

Students read the word, shine a flashlight behind the card, and like magic, a hidden picture appears! 

It’s an instant, engaging way to reinforce blending and segmenting while giving them feedback they can see.

This interactive, SOR–aligned resource brings excitement and focus to your literacy block. Whether you're teaching in kindergarten, 1st grade, or 2nd grade, your students will be begging to play again!

Get it on TPT

What’s Included

• ✅ Printable word cards sorted by phonics skill
• ✅ Printable picture cards sorted by phonics skill
• ✅ Clear directions for printing, prepping, and using
• ✅ Recording sheets for accountability
• ✅ Label templates for easy storage in task card boxes or bags

This bundle is included in The Ultimate Science of Reading ENDLESS BUNDLE. Click here to find out more:

Read what real teachers have said: 

• Claire H. said: “This was a huge hit in my centers! My students LOVED shining the flashlight to reveal the picture after reading the word."

• Jennifer G. said: "It takes a little prep, but it’s SO worth it. I laminated them and they’re still going strong!"

• Cierra G.  said: "My students were engaged, focused, and having fun. A perfect blend of play and practice"

📚 How It Works:

1. Print picture cards on cardstock
2. Print matching word cards on white paper
3. Glue the word card on top of the picture card
4. Students blend and read the word
5. Shine a flashlight behind the card to reveal the hidden image
6. Optional: Write the word on a whiteboard or sound mapping page

Use mini flashlights, finger lights, or a light table, whatever works best for your space!

PHONICS SKILLS INCLUDED

• Short a
• Nasalized A (am,an)
• Short i
• Short o
  
• Short u
  
• Short e
  
• FLSZ Spelling Rule
  
• -all, -oll, -ull
  
• ck /k/
  
• sh /sh/
  
• th /th/ voiced
  
• th /th/ unvoiced
  
• ch /ch/
  
• wh /w/
  
• ng
  
• nk
  
• L Blends
  
• S Blends
  
• R Blends
  
• Ending Blends
  
• a_e /ā/
  
• i_e /ī/
  
• o_e /ō/
  
• e_e /ē/
  
• u_e /ū/, /yū/
  
• _ce /s/
  
• _ge /j/
  
• -es
  
• -ed /d/ /t/ /ed/
  
• -ing
  
• Compound Words
  
• tch /ch/
  
• dge /j/
  
• Long VCC: -ild, -old, -ind, -olt, -ost
  
• y /ī/
  
• y /ē/
  
• -le
  
• ar /ar/
  
• or /or/, ore /or/
  
• er /er/
  
• ur /er/
  
• ir /er/
  
• w+or /er/
  
• Vowel Teams - ai / ay
  
• Vowel Teams - ee / ea/ ey
  
• Vowel Teams - oa, ow, oe /ō/
  
• Vowel Teams - ie /ī/, igh /ī/
  
• Other Vowel Teams - u, oo /oo/
  
• Other Vowel Teams - oo /ū/
  
• Other Vowel Teams - ew /ū/, ui /ū/,ue /ū/
  
• Other VT - au, aw, augh /aw/
  
• Other Vowel Teams - ea /ĕ/, a /ŏ/
  
• Diphthongs - oi /oi/, oy /oi/
  
• Diphthongs – ou/ow /ow/
  
• kn /n/
  
• wr /r/
  
• mb /m/
  
• Suffixes & Prefixes s/-es
  
• Suffixes & Prefixes -er/-est
  
• Suffixes & Prefixes -ly
  
• Suffixes & Prefixes -un
  
• Doubling Rule-ed, -ing
  
• Doubling Rule-er, -est
  
• Drop –e Rule
  
• -y to i Rule

🛠 Teacher Tips:

• Print at 100% scale (no “fit to page”) for best alignment
• Laminate for durability. your future self will thank you!
• Model “flashlight rules” to keep the center running smoothly
• Great for early finishers, morning tubs, sub plans, and family engagement too

📦 Perfect For:

• Literacy centers
• Phonics skill review
• RTI and intervention
• Independent work
• Home connection activities
• Light table or “Flashlight Friday” fun

If you’re looking for a way to make phonics feel like magic while building real reading skills, this is it.

Light up your centers and your students’ confidence with Flashlight Phonics!