The North Pole Christmas tree has lost seven ornaments! Help the elves complete seven picture-supported CVC activities, find the missing ornaments, and crack the final code to turn on the twinkling lights.
Designed for Kindergarten–Grade 1 and beginning readers, this Christmas phonics mystery practices mixed short vowels through word building, missing vowels, picture choice, word-family sorting, Read and Find, word choice, and a mystery-picture activity.
The Mission
A playful reindeer bumped the ornament cart, and seven ornaments rolled away. Students explore the toy workshop, candy kitchen, reindeer stable, elf laundry, snowy garden, cookie cottage, and gift-wrapping room. After each phonics activity, they find a described ornament and watch the collection grow. The final ornament-to-letter code lights the Christmas tree.
Skills Practiced
- Blend and read CVC words
- Identify all five short vowels: a, e, i, o, u
- Segment and spell three-letter words
- Match printed words and pictures
- Sort CVC words into word families
What's Included
- 7 interactive CVC phonics activities
- Seven ornament discoveries and a North Pole mission hub
- Final ornament cipher and tree-light celebration
- Teacher access and classroom setup guide
- 3 optional printable CVC worksheets and answer key
- Classroom codes, progress tracking, and optional timer
Good to Know
Allow approximately 30–35 minutes, with additional support for younger readers as needed. Use for literacy centers, partners, small groups, or guided class play.
Students join with a classroom code and name or team name. No student email is required. Internet access is needed. Play on a desktop, laptop, Chromebook, or compatible tablet in landscape, or display on an interactive whiteboard. Gameplay is not designed for phones.
Test Mystery Missions on your school device before purchasing.
Common Core Connections
RF.K.3a, RF.K.3b, and RF.1.3b: letter–sound knowledge, short vowels, and decoding regularly spelled one-syllable words.
NOT A PHYSICAL PRODUCT. This is a digital, browser-based resource. No physical item will be shipped.
Also Available on TpT
Purchase The Christmas Tree Surprise on Teachers Pay Teachers.