Grade 1 · Reading · Phonics

1st Grade Short Vowels in Words worksheets

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Short Vowels in Words

Grade 1 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Write the missing vowel.

1st Grade Short Vowels in Words worksheet 1 – printable PDF — Download PDF: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

Short vowels are the sounds children meet inside words such as cat, hen, pig, dog and sun. A first grader who can hear the middle sound is ready to blend three or four sounds into a whole word instead of guessing from its first letter. This worksheet asks for one thing from the top of the page to the bottom: look at the picture, say its name slowly, and write the missing vowel in the empty box.

Every sheet uses all five short vowels. Every word is a three-letter consonant, vowel, consonant word. Support and standard sheets use the most familiar ones, and challenge sheets use less common ones such as web and mug. Ask your child to stretch the picture's name and listen for the sound in the middle before writing.

What your child will learn

Hear the five short-vowel sounds
Write the vowel that goes in the middle of a word
Match a picture's name to its spelling
Check a word by sounding it out

Common Core standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.3.B

Worked example

The picture is a cat and the word shows c _ t. Say the name slowly: /k/ /a/ /t/. The missing vowel is a.

Common mistake

Choosing a vowel by its letter name instead of listening to the short sound inside the word.

Helpful hint

Say the picture's name slowly and listen to the sound between the first and last sounds.

Next skill: Long Vowels and Silent E

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with short vowels in words?

Choosing a vowel by its letter name instead of listening to the short sound inside the word.

How can I help my child with short vowels in words?

Say the picture's name slowly and listen to the sound between the first and last sounds.

Are these 1st grade reading worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

More 1st grade phonics

See all phonics

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