Can Pat Have Some Gum?

Worksheet Description

This Word Ladders worksheet is a language puzzle that follows the story of Pat who wants to have some gum and is seeking his mother’s permission. Starting with the word “gum” at the bottom, students must change one letter at a time to form a new word that responds to each subsequent clue. These clues direct the student to replace letters to create a chain of words leading to the final answer, which is what Pat’s mother says about having gum. The progression follows the ladder upward, with each rung representing a new word formed by changing one letter from the previous word.

The worksheet is designed to enhance a student’s phonics skills, specifically focusing on the ability to manipulate individual letters within words to form new words. It teaches the concept of word families and patterns by demonstrating how small changes to a word can result in related words. The activity also improves problem-solving abilities as students must deduce the correct letter changes to meet the criteria of the clues. Ultimately, this worksheet encourages children to think about the structure and sound of words, and how these elements contribute to word meaning and relationships.