23. Phonics Game – ‘er’ /ɜː/ Dots and Lines - Set 2

A strategic decoding game for phonics practice at home or in tutoring sessions

This printable Dots and Lines phonics game helps learners focus on the /ɜː/ sound (as in her, nurse, turn), exploring a wide range of spellings and word types. Designed for one-to-one or home use, the game builds fluency through strategic play. Players take turns drawing lines and reading words aloud — claiming boxes as they complete them.

🧩 Words included:

exert, avert, internal, concern, herbal, assert, convert, expert, alert, eternal

…plus 20+ others with the /ɜː/ sound

✅ Learning focus:

• Strengthens phoneme–grapheme mapping for /ɜː/

• Builds word recognition through repetition and exposure

• Supports strategic thinking and turn-taking

• Ideal for fluency games in tutoring, intervention or home education

🖨 What’s included:

• 1 full-colour printable grid (PDF)

• Simple gameplay instructions

• Designed for pencil, pen or on-screen annotation

• No additional prep or printing needed

Recommended age:

KS1–KS2 or any learner working on /ɜː/ spellings

Format:

PDF download — colour game board

Use:

Phonics intervention, home learning, literacy warm-up

Licensing:

Single-user or single-teacher licence. Please do not copy, share, or upload. Copyright: Joanna Whale, Great Expectations Education.