Phonics Games and Methods of Play

Abstract

A novel method of game play and game components that, in one embodiment, is in the form of playing cards associated or representing phonetic sounds and a score wherein cards are arranged in sequences to form words and then a score is calculated. In alternative embodiments, the components used to play the game may take other forms, such as tiles, or the game may be played in different media, such as using electronic displays on a computer or electronic devices and on an interactive network. Further alternatives involve providing a game board that allows the player to advance a game piece along designated spaces to a finish line or goal.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of playing a game comprising,
 a first step of distributing a plurality of items to a plurality of players, said items having representations of phonetic sounds represented on the items thereon and a scoring data, a step where a designated first player proceeds to play and attempts to arranged the items to create a phonetic representation when combined in a sequence to form a word, a further alternatively step of step of passing a turn, a further step of discarding cards, a further step of drawing new cards, and a further step wherein, in the event a word is successfully formed, the designated first player's score is calculated according to predetermined scoring algorithm, and a further step wherein a second designated player proceeds to play in accordance with the same play sequence as said first player.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said items are cards, said cards comprising a symbol for a phonetic sound, a word that demonstrates the phonetic sound, and a score value. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said symbols are linguistic symbols. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a game board and a plurality of game pieces said game board includes written instructions, and information relating to possible phonetic combinations and a series of indicia or spaces for receiving said game piece that and said spaces are arranged to have a starting point and ending point. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said items comprise an electronic graphical representation of a phonetic sound and said game is played on at least one electronic device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the said is played on a plurality of electronic devices in communication with one another. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said scoring steps are performed automatically by the electronic device. 
     
     
         8 . An electronic device including a processor and graphic display and controller, said controller for the simulated arranged on a screen display, wherein said controller accesses a memory that contains a plurality of symbols and letters representing phonetic sounds and said and said controllers provides a graphical representation of subset of such symbols, letters and score data, said graphic comprising an item, to players, and player provide input to said device to arrange said items in a designate order and then a further user input to reflect that the action is complete, and said controller is adapted to calculate a score based upon values on said items according to a predetermined algorithm. 
     
     
         9 . The device recited in  claim 7  further comprising a loudspeaker, and in response to the user input of a selected sequence of item, said processor will correlate an audio file or files with said sequence and send a signal from said audio file or files to said loudspeaker.