Why You Should Utilize Nonsense Words + 5 Activities You Can Use Right Away

As teachers, we all know phonics instruction is essential when teaching students to read. However, it seems like many teachers aren’t utilizing nonsense words as often as they should. When preparing lessons, many of us provide our students with a wide variety resources to practice specific phonics skills. These activities all feature a controlled list of words pertaining to a specific skill, mostly due to clipart that is purchased by the seller/creator of the resource. Sure, students may be able to read the words they encounter on the worksheets or center activities, but can they actually decode an unknown word or nonsense word that follows that pattern? This is exactly why you should be utilizing nonsense words in your classroom. Let’s look at the reasons nonsense words should be an essential component in your phonics instruction.

Phonemic Awareness Development: Nonsense words provide an excellent platform for developing phonemic awareness. Since nonsense words don’t have pre-existing meanings, students are forced to focus solely on the sounds each letter makes and how they combine.
Isolation of Phonics Skills: Nonsense words allow teachers to isolate and target specific phonics skills. By presenting words that adhere strictly to phonetic rules, students can practice and reinforce the connections between letters and their corresponding sounds. This targeted practice enhances their ability to decode unfamiliar words.
Transferable Skills: Proficiency in decoding nonsense words often translates into improved decoding skills with real words. Since nonsense words follow the same phonetic patterns, students learn to apply the rules they’ve mastered to decode both familiar and unfamiliar words, promoting transferable skills.
Prevention of Sight Word Dependency: When students encounter real words, they may rely on memorization or sight word recognition rather than decoding. Nonsense words level the playing field, ensuring that students apply their decoding skills consistently without relying on memorized word shapes or patterns.
Enhanced Reading Fluency: Reading fluency is a key component of proficient reading. Nonsense words, especially when incorporated into engaging activities, help students practice reading with expression, speed, and accuracy. This fluency development carries over to their reading of real words, contributing to overall reading success.
Assessment of Phonics Proficiency: Nonsense words serve as valuable assessment tools. Teachers can use students’ ability to decode nonsense words as indicators of their phonics proficiency. Regular assessments with nonsense words provide insights into individual strengths and areas that may need additional support.
Preparation for Unfamiliar Vocabulary: As students progress in their reading journey, they will inevitably encounter unfamiliar words. Nonsense words prepare them for this challenge by building confidence in their ability to decode and tackle words they may not have encountered before.

Incorporating nonsense words into phonics instruction is a strategic and effective approach to developing foundational literacy skills in kindergarten and first grade. Here are some activities you can utilize in your classroom right now.

Activities to Practice Nonsense Words

Phoneme Manipulation Using Magnetic Letters (or Dry Erase Markers): Use the skill you are working on and have your students “build” the words using magnetic letters. Next, have your students manipulate the phonemes by substituting beginning, middle, or ending sounds to create both real and nonsense words. EXAMPLE (CVC SHORT A): Have your students write/build the word “cat.” Next, ask them to change the /c/ to a /j/ and read the word. They will then state if the word is real or nonsense. Here are some cards to use, so you don’t have to plan anything.

2. Word Sorts: Use flashcards for any phonics skill you are working on. Be sure to include both real and nonsense words. Have your students read the words and sort them based on if it is a real or nonsense word. You can create an anchor chart for students to glue, tape, or write the words in the correct column.

3. YouTube Videos: YouTube can actually be a great source of free instructional videos. These are great for quick warm ups, wrapping up a lesson, or just simply reviewing skills. Here is a CVC Words Real and Nonsense Words practice video where students just put a thumb up or thumb down.

4. Real and Nonsense Word Cut and Paste Activities: Cut and paste activities are very simple, require no prep from the teacher, and are effective. Cut and paste activities are great for centers, early finisher practice, or remediation.

5. Grab Bag: This is such a fun game to play and students always love it! Put some consonants and whatever vowel sound you are working on in a bag. (If you are practicing short o words, put an p, g, t, x, b, l, etc. in a bag and give each student an “o”). Students will pick two consonants and put one in front of the “o” and one behind the “o”. Students will sound out the word and then figure out if it is a real or nonsense word.

I hope your students enjoy these activities and they help them master their phonics skills!

💜 Anna K.