Do you know the floss rule yet? When the sounds /f/ /s/ /l/ or /z/ come at the end of a one-syllable word, they’re written with a double consonant. See some examples and then grab this batch of floss rule puzzles to make practicing it fun for kids!

The Floss Rule

Why do some words have a double consonant at the end like smell, while other words like cat do not?

The answer is the floss rule! It’s a simple spelling rule that helps kids remember when to use a double consonant at the end of a one-syllable word.

When the sounds /f/ /s/ /l/ or /z/ come at the end of a one-syllable word, they’re written with a double consonant.

For instance:

mes –> meSS

dol–> doLL

buz–> buZZ

snif–> sniFF

NOTE: There are a couple of exceptions to this rule like the word PAL and IF.

And since the rule’s affectionately named after one of the words that benefits from it, it seemed fitting to continue the fun and help the rule REALLY stick by making a playful literacy center with a FLOSS theme.

Floss Puzzles

Prepping the puzzles is quick and easy!

Just print them on cardstock and laminate for added durability.

Cut apart the cards and print one record sheet for each child.

When you’re ready, have students pick up one word at a time, read the word out loud, and look for the matching floss box showing its picture.

For example, if a child picks up the word TOSS, she’d say, “toss” and then lay the word next to the tossing picture.

Play continues until students have solved all of the puzzles in the stack. Then they’ll write the words on their record sheet!

Grab Your Floss Rule Puzzles

Click the big blue download here button below to snag your set!

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3 Comments

  1. I had difficulty downloading the floss rule puzzles.

    1. Hi Barbie,
      When you click the blue “Download Here” button, a pop-up should open. You can try checking to make sure your browser isn’t blocking pop-ups from the site or try using a different browser. If you happen to be attempting the download at school, your district’s web filter may be blocking the pop-up. Let me know if you’re not able to get the puzzles!
      Warmly,
      Sarah // Playdough to Plato Team

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