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Mystery Box - ou

At Smart Boarding School, we know that learning to read isn’t just about sounding out words—it’s about recognising patterns, understanding letter combinations, and making learning fun. That’s exactly what our /ou/ Mystery Box Game is all about.


Designed for Year 1 and Year 2 students, this free printable game gives young learners a playful way to practise the tricky /ou/ sound, which can be spelled using ou (as in cloud)

Mystery Box - ou.jpg

and ow (as in cow). Through interactive gameplay, students build confidence with these phonemes and deepen their understanding of how sounds and spellings connect.

 

What’s Inside the /ou/ Mystery Box Game?

This game is an exciting two-player challenge that combines spelling, listening, and decision-making—all built around recognising and using the /ou/ sound. It works beautifully in small groups, literacy rotations, or even for learning at home.

Here’s what you’ll need to play:

  • Page 2: Scoreboard for each player (laminate for repeated use with dry-erase markers).

  • Pages 3–10: Double-sided /ou/ sound cards featuring colourful illustrations and words with ou and ow graphemes. Print back-to-back and cut them out.

 

How to Play

  1. Lay all cards face down on a table, with the mystery box side facing up.

  2. Player 1 selects a card by pointing to it.

  3. Player 2 picks it up and reads the word aloud.

  4. Player 1 writes the word on their scoreboard.

  5. If the spelling is correct, they earn 1 point.

  6. Player 1 then chooses to:

    • Keep the card and follow the bonus points shown.

    • Discard it with no bonus or penalty.

  7. Players take turns until all cards are used.

  8. The player with the highest total score wins!

 

Why It Works

The /ou/ Mystery Box Game is more than just fun—it’s a meaningful tool for phonics instruction:

  • Focused Learning: The game targets two key graphemes—ou and ow—giving students repeated exposure to common /ou/ words.

  • Spelling and Reading Practice: Players must spell each word they hear, reinforcing sound-letter connections.

  • Strategic Thinking: The point system adds excitement and decision-making to the mix.

  • Engagement Boost: The game format keeps students interested and invested in learning.

 

Sample Words Included in the Game

  • ou: cloud, loud, house, round

  • ow: cow, now, town, owl

All words are age-appropriate and supported with visual clues to aid recognition and comprehension.

 

Download It Free

Ready to transform your phonics lessons into an engaging game session? Download the /ou/ Mystery Box Game today and give your students a new way to explore spelling patterns. It’s easy to prep, simple to use, and completely free.

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At Smart Boarding School, we believe that learning should be meaningful and memorable. This phonics game brings both to the table.

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Click the button below to get your free download—and let the learning begin!

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