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Classroom · CVC words · CCSS RF.K.3b
CVC words worksheets
28 short a CVC words in 6 word families, with a free seven-page worksheet pack: meet the words, tap and blend with sound buttons, picture match, write the word, sort the families, read and trace, and an answer key.
Watch it solved
47 sec · with voice and captionsA pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.
Read what the video says
- 0:00 Let's practice short a words, step by step.
- 0:03 Say each word, and listen for the middle sound. Cat, hat, bat. They all have the short a sound.
- 0:10 Touch each dot, and say each sound. Then blend the sounds, and write the word. Cat.
- 0:16 Draw a line from each picture to its word. The cat goes with the word cat.
- 0:22 Say the name of each picture, and write one letter in each box. C, a, t. Cat.
- 0:28 Read each word in the word bank, and write it under its ending. Bat ends in "at", so it goes here.
- 0:35 Read each word aloud, then trace it.
- 0:40 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.
The picture words
- cat
- hat
- bat
- rat
- can
- van
- map
- cap
Short a word families
-at word family
cat, hat, bat, rat, mat, sat
-an word family
can, van, fan, man, pan, ran
-ap word family
cap, map, nap, tap, lap
-ag word family
bag, tag, wag, rag
-ad word family
dad, sad, pad, mad
-am word family
jam, ram, yam
What the worksheets look like
Teaching short a
Teaching short aShort a is the sound at the start of apple. The mouth opens wide and the tongue stays low. Have children tap one finger for each sound (c-a-t), then sweep a finger under the word to blend it.
Watch for: Adding an extra sound between letters, as in "cuh-a-tuh". Model short, clipped consonant sounds so the word blends cleanly.
Common questions
What are short a CVC words?
Three-letter words with a consonant, then the short a vowel, then a consonant, such as cat, hat, bat, rat. The vowel makes its short sound, as at the start of "apple".
How do I teach short a CVC words?
Short a is the sound at the start of apple. The mouth opens wide and the tongue stays low. Have children tap one finger for each sound (c-a-t), then sweep a finger under the word to blend it.
What mistake should I watch for?
Adding an extra sound between letters, as in "cuh-a-tuh". Model short, clipped consonant sounds so the word blends cleanly.
Can I copy these worksheets for my class?
Yes. The PDF is free to print and photocopy for classroom and home use, in color or in the black-and-white ink saver. Please link to this page rather than re-uploading the file.
Mix all five vowels
Mix all five vowelsMissing-vowel pictures, a vowel sort, an answer key and a CVC Word Champion certificate.
