Dino Decoder Game Board DINO DECODER
Explorer Folder • Inside Left Page
Danger Zone
Your Mission: Match the scary dinosaur pieces to the correct spots on the board. Work from top to bottom. Clear all spots to escape the T-Rex!
1. Sight Word Swamp
Match the Eggs
Match the Sight Word Eggs to the matching nests below:
Nest 1 the
Nest "the"
Nest 2 see
Nest "see"
Nest 3 go
Nest "go"
Nest 4 my
Nest "my"
Nest 5 is
Nest "is"
2. CVC Fossil Dig
Match the Bones
Read the clues and match the CVC word bones to the correct fossils:
Fossil A
Use a shovel
BONE
"dig" Site
Fossil B
Go fast!
BONE
"run" Site
Fossil C
Wet dirt
BONE
"mud" Site
Fossil D
Jump up
BONE
"hop" Site
Fossil E
Has water
BONE
"wet" Site
EXPLORER NAME: ____________________________ DATE: ____________
DINO DECODER
Explorer Folder • Inside Right Page
Escape Trail!
3. Footprint Blend Track
Match st-, cl-, gr-
Complete the footprints of the scary dinosaur by placing the correct beginning blend (st-, cl-, or gr-) to complete the word. Follow the arrows in order!
1
_ _ op makes "stop"
2
_ _ ap makes "clap"
3
_ _ ab makes "grab"
4
_ _ in makes "grin"
5
_ _ ip makes "clip"
6
_ _ ep makes "step"
SAFE ZONE!
You escaped the scariest dinosaurs in prehistoric history!
* SIGHT WORDS: the, see, go, my, is * BLENDS: st-, cl-, gr-
DINO DECODER: GAME PIECES
Print & Cutout Page
Preparation: Print this page on thick cardstock, cut out the pieces along the dotted lines , laminate them, and apply hook-and-loop (velcro) dots to the backs of the pieces and the matching zones on pages 1 & 2.
Sight Word Eggs (Match to Swamp nests on Page 1)
the
Cutout 1
see
Cutout 2
go
Cutout 3
my
Cutout 4
is
Cutout 5
CVC Fossil Bones (Match to Dig sites on Page 1)
dig d - i - g
Cutout A
run r - u - n
Cutout B
mud m - u - d
Cutout C
hop h - o - p
Cutout D
wet w - e - t
Cutout E
Footprint Blends (Match to Track on Page 2)
st Track 1
"st" -> stop
cl Track 2
"cl" -> clap
gr Track 3
"gr" -> grab
gr Track 4
"gr" -> grin
cl Track 5
"cl" -> clip
st Track 6
"st" -> step
• DINO DECODER FILE FOLDER GAME • PREPARE WITH CARE • LAMINATING EXTENDS LIFE •
Dino Decoder Support Guide DINO DECODER
Teacher & Therapist Support Guide
Target Student Profile Grade 3 • ASD • Emerging Reader
This file folder game is designed as a structured, low-distraction, highly tactile reading task. It leverages a high-interest "Scariest Dinosaurs" theme to motivate and maintain engagement while isolating core reading skills: Sight Word Identification , CVC Blending , and Consonant Blend Completion .
Assembly Directions
Glue Page 1 to the inside-left of a manila file folder.
Glue Page 2 to the inside-right of the folder.
Cut out pieces from Page 3 along dotted lines.
Laminate the folder and all cutout pieces.
Attach hard hook velcro dots to the folder's dashed squares/circles, and soft loop velcro dots to the backs of cutout pieces.
Pacing & Lesson Routine
Min 1-3: Warm-Up: Introduce the "Scariest Dinosaurs" theme. Use the slide deck to preview words.
Min 3-10: Guided Play: Open the folder game. Work task-by-task. Provide structured guidance on matching.
Min 10-15: Independent Check: Have student read the completed words independently with the pointing stick.
ASD Adaptations
For students with high tactile sensitivity, use non-velcro alternative fasteners like blue-tack, or simple physical slots. Ensure the environment has natural light to reduce fluorescent flickering, which can impact visual attention.
Prompting Hierarchy
1. Independent (No prompt): "Match the dinosaur bones to the correct dig site."
2. Gestural / Visual Prompt: Point to the target card, then point to the blank slot. Tap the correct location.
3. Verbal Cue / Model: "This bone says 'dig'. /d/ - /i/ - /g/. Let's find the shovel spot. Look, a shovel. Place it here."
4. Hand-over-Hand (Physical): Gently guide the student's hand to take the bone piece and press it onto the velcro slot.
ASD Support Techniques
Visual Schedule: Mark task completion as "eggs done," "bones done," and "tracks done."Token Economy: Give "dino claws" or tokens for each section finished.Premack Principle: Use "First Game, Then Dino Toy" to motivate participation.
Session Data Tracker • Quick Scorecard
Dino Decoder Slides Prehistoric Reading Adventure
Mission 1
DINO DECODER
Unlock the codes, read the dinosaur paths, and escape from the scariest dinosaurs in history!
Point & Read with your Guide START ESCAPE • Slide 1/4
Pre-Play warm-up Warm-Up 1
Sight Word Egg Challenge
Point to each egg and say the word out loud before we matching them in the swamp!
the
see
go
my
is
Read words from left to right SIGHT WORDS • Slide 2/4
Pre-Play warm-up Warm-Up 2
Dinosaur Blend Power-Up
Practice making these big dinosaur sounds by blending the starting letters together!
st - makes /st/
st + op = stop
cl - makes /cl/
cl + ap = clap
gr - makes /gr/
gr + ab = grab
Practice stretching the sounds with your fingers BEGINNING BLENDS • Slide 3/4
Instructional Guide Ready to Play
Ready to Play Dino Decoder!
Now open your file folder. Work through the three missions in order:
1
Sight Word Swamp
Match all 5 Dino Eggs to their nests on the left board.
First Task
2
CVC Fossil Dig
Match 5 Fossil Bones using spelling clues at the bottom left.
Second Task
3
Footprint Track
Follow the numbered path and match the blends on the right board.
Final Step
Complete all three stages to reach the SAFE ZONE! PLAY TIME • Slide 4/4
