Ending -ed Magic Wand Decoding

Make decoding past tense words simple, interactive, and fun with this hands-on Ending -ed Magic Wand Decoding activity. Students will read a base word, then “add” the ending -ed using the included magic wand piece to create and decode a new word. This routine supports students in understanding how adding -ed changes a word to past tense while strengthening overall decoding skills.

This resource is ideal for Science of Reading aligned instruction, structured literacy, phonics intervention, literacy centers, and homeschool word work practice.

What This Resource Is
This printable set includes Magic Wand Word Strips with decodable base words and a Magic -ed star topper that can be attached to a popsicle stick for a fun, reusable wand routine.

Skills This Resource Covers
This activity helps students:
• Decode and blend decodable words
• Read and build past tense words with -ed
• Practice left-to-right blending and word mapping
• Strengthen decoding fluency and automaticity
• Build confidence with common phonics spelling patterns

What’s Included
• Decodable word strips designed for word building and decoding practice
• Printable Magic -ed star topper to create the wand
• Multiple word sets for practicing a variety of -ed words

How to Use This Resource
1. Print the strips and star on cardstock.
2. Cut and laminate for long-lasting use.
3. Attach the star to a popsicle stick to create the wand.
4. Students touch and blend each sound to read the base word.
5. Students place the wand at the end of the word to make it past tense and decode the new word.
6. For a challenge, mix multiple vowel sets together for additional decoding practice.

Why Teachers and Homeschool Parents Love It
• Quick to prep and easy to reuse
• Highly engaging, hands-on format that keeps students motivated
• Perfect for small groups, intervention, literacy centers, and independent practice
• Supports decoding confidence through consistent word-building routines
• Works well for early readers who need extra practice with past tense endings

If you purchased Raising Little Readers® Volume 2 with the Bonus Printables Bundle add-on, you already own this resource.