Educator Designed Card Games to Improve Reading
Bonnie Terry launched a new game line to help students build reading fluency through interactive play.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Primary Education
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Bonnie Terry, founder of Scholar Within, has developed a series of card games called Scooch to help children improve reading fluency. The games focus on letter combinations and word sounds to engage students who struggle with traditional drills.
Why it matters
Fluency in fourth grade is a key predictor of high school graduation outcomes, yet reading proficiency levels have continued to decline. These games offer a way to address the fact that 69% of children currently struggle with reading or have only partially developed skills.
In 2024, 31% of fourth graders and 30% of eighth graders performed at or above proficient reading levels. These results reflect a broader trend where 69% of children continue to struggle with reading or possess only partially developed skills.
The players
Bonnie Terry
She is the founder of Scholar Within and a veteran educator with a 50-year career in teaching.
Nick Terry
He created an online assessment tool that helps parents determine the reading proficiency levels of their children.
Scholar Within
This is an educational company owned by Bonnie Terry that focuses on providing tools to improve reading fluency.
The details
The Scooch card games require players to combine letter combinations to create words and score points, emphasizing common letter patterns and word blending. Bonnie Terry, who has spent 50 years in the teaching profession, designed the system as an alternative to traditional repetition drills. Additionally, Nick Terry created a free online tool that allows parents to assess their child's current reading level.
Timeline
2019 marked a period when fourth grade reading proficiency levels were higher.
2022 saw fourth grade reading proficiency levels two points higher than in 2024.
2024 assessments showed 31% of fourth graders were reading at proficient levels.
Culture Shift
The introduction of gamified literacy tools reflects a growing societal move toward interactive learning models that reject rigid, traditional drills. This shift highlights a departure from standardized teaching methods in favor of approaches that prioritize student engagement and long-term fluency.
Parents can utilize the free online tool developed by Nick Terry to gauge their child's current reading progress at home. Integrating these card games into daily routines may help students improve word blending and letter sound recognition without the pressure of conventional drills.
The takeaway
Using interactive games can help bridge the gap for the majority of children who face challenges with reading fluency. Parents should focus on consistent, low-stress practice to support their child's development beyond the standard classroom curriculum.
Further reading
For more on educational resources, visit Primary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KCRA.
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Do you believe supplemental tools like card games effectively improve your child's reading fluency?
