Free Race to the Top Game – Reading y as Short i Words

Have you been working on phonics skills with your kindergarten and first grade students? Today, let’s dive into y as short i sound. It’s fascinating how one letter can make different sounds depending on the context! We will learn some examples of y as short i words with this fun, free printable game that will make teaching reading and writing y as short i sound easy.

y as Short i

Have you ever noticed how “Y” sometimes sounds like “i”? That’s its secret power! When “Y” hangs out in closed syllables (think words like “gym” and “myth”), it makes the short “i” sound. This free printable phonics game makes it simple and fun for grade 1 students to practice reading and writing y as short i words. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler you will love practicing y as short i sound with this language arts activity for students.

See all our free printable language arts worksheets plus how to teach phonics step by step and phonics games printable

y as Short i Words

Check out these “Y”-powered words:

• Gym
• Myth
• Hymn
• Mystery
• Lyric

What’s a Closed Syllable?

Closed syllables are simple syllabic structures where a single vowel is sandwiched between one or more consonants, making it sound short. This compact formation is why they’re called “closed” syllables.

CVC (consonant, vowel, consonant) words are classic examples of closed syllables, like “hat.”

Moreover, closed syllables can begin with a vowel and wrap up with a consonant, as in “in.”

Additionally, digraphs, where two letters team up to make one sound, also play a role in closing a vowel to keep it short. For instance, in “cash,” the digraph “sh” seals the vowel sound.

Where “Y” Comes From

Guess what? When “Y” spells the short “i” sound, it’s usually in words with a Greek origin. So, words like “gym” and “lyric” have “Y” showing off its Greek roots!

y as short i sound

I love practicing new phonics skills with a game, especially quick and easy games. This game is super easy to set up and can be ready to play in just a few minutes!

All you need to do is print off the game boards and the spinner that matches. Each board has different levels, so you can pick the ones that are just right for your child. Laminate them, and grab some dry-erase markers. Then, attach the spinner to the board or use a paper clip and pencil to spin it.

To play, the rules are simple:

1. Player one spins the spinner and reads the word.
2. Then, they find that word on their game board and write that word in the box above.

Now it’s player two’s turn!

They do the same thing. Spin the spinner, read the word, find the word, and write it down.

Players keep taking turns until one of them fills up their whole game board.

Words where y sounds like i

Parents, teaching phonics can be fun! Explore the wonders of “Y” with your child and watch their language skills grow. It’s an adventure worth taking together! Enjoy!