Teaching information texts and looking for a way to bring play, joy, and early reading practise into your literacy block… without adding extra prep?
Read, Roll & Build turns playdough into a meaningful literacy experience. Students engage with decodable information texts, build vocabulary, and strengthen fine motor skills (all at the same time).
Students read simple, decodable sentences, use labelled visual supports to build farm animals with playdough, and connect key words through a supported word bank. It’s hands-on, purposeful, and aligned with how early readers learn best.
This is the kind of activity that keeps your class calm, engaged, and actually learning... not just busy work.
Why teachers love this resource
• Supports decoding practise through simple, controlled sentences
• Builds vocabulary and comprehension through visual supports
• Combines fine motor + literacy in one purposeful task
• Aligned with Science of Reading approaches
• Keeps students engaged during literacy rotations
• Print-and-go with zero prep (okay - laminating IF you're into that... or just slip into a document wallet!)
What’s included?
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6 farm animal playdough mats (pig, horse, cow, hen, chick, sheep)
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6 low-colour versions (because sometimes the playdough colour situation is… unpredictable)
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Multiple decodable information sentences on every mat
- Labelled images to support vocabulary and consolidation of information text features
- Visual word bank for tricky words that can't be decoded
- Printable word banks (flat or foldable stand options)
- 'Real life' photo so they keep making the links back to informative text features
Designed for Year 1 classrooms
This resource supports early readers as they practise decoding in a low-pressure, engaging way.
Students independently:
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Read a decodable sentence
- Build the matching animal using visual prompts
- Connect vocabulary through labels and word banks
No extra explaining. No complicated setup. Just meaningful practise that fits straight into your day.
Differentiation made easy
• Visual scaffolds support EAL/D learners and beginning readers
• Clear sentence-to-image connections build understanding
Students needing support? Pair with the Foundation version.
Perfect for
- Literacy rotations
- Science / information text units
- Fine motor tubs with purpose
- Small group instruction
- Independent literacy tasks
- Early finishers
If you’re looking for a low-prep, high-engagement literacy activity that blends play-based learning with explicit reading practise, this resource will quickly become a go-to in your classroom for your information text units!
Want to Connect?
Instagram: @thewonderfullclassroom
Facebook: The Wonder-Full Classroom
Email: thewonderfullclassroom@gmail.com
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