Imperfect Puzzle Words

Scratch & Dent Discount: These materials did not pass our strict quality control process, so you get them at a lower price. The error may be a small spot or hair under the laminate on one or more cards, color slightly different from our standard, an image printed slightly askew, or slightly curved laminate. Many teachers can't find the error, but we can! Each packet is complete. See all of our scratch and dent materials.

Puzzle words are the Montessori name for high-frequency words that don't follow regular phonetic rules, like come and do. You may also know them as sight words, tricky words, or heart words. Our set of 40 laminated puzzle word cards is ready for the shelf once students are reading phonetic words.

Puzzle words aren't meant to be memorized as whole shapes. Most follow the rules for part of the word, with only one sound or spelling breaking the pattern. In come, the c and m sound out as expected; only the o and silent e are the puzzle. Students sound out what they can and notice the tricky part. That habit connects these words to the phonics they already know.

What's included

• 40 high-frequency puzzle (sight) word cards
• Cards are approx. 2¾" x 1¾"
• Eco-laminated with a food-grade laminate and rounded corners
• Sturdy, clear reclosable bag for teacher storage
• Lesson plan included

Add small cloth pouches for tidy, student-accessible display: one pouch to rotate 8 words at a time, or five to have all 40 words out at once.

Prefer to make these yourself? Puzzle Words are also available as a digital file.

Created by a Montessori teacher. Eco-printed in our rural New England office.

Made in the USA. CPSIA compliant.