Classroom · Phonics · CCSS RF.K.3b, RF.1.2b

worksheets and word lists

A short vowel says its sound, not its name: cat, bed, pin, dog and sun. Print the free short vowels pack and chart, then go deeper with one pack for each vowel.

Free short vowel printables

Short vowels pack

All five short vowels mixed: hear the vowel and circle it, change the vowel to make a new word (hat, hut, hot), read and match, choose the right word in a sentence, and an answer key.

Circle the short vowel you hear worksheet

Short vowels pack(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Short vowels chart

One page with each short vowel, a key picture and six words, to keep on the wall or in a reading folder.

Short vowels chart(1 page, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Also free: the CVC words review, with a missing vowel page and a vowel sort. Download it.

Short vowel word lists

Words for each short vowel, grouped by word family. Each list has a full seven-page pack with pictures.

Short a words

-atcathatbatratmatsat
-ancanvanfanmanpanran
-apcapmapnaptaplap
-agbagtagwagrag
-addadsadpadmad
-amjamramyam

Short a pack(7 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Short e words

-enhenpentendenmen
-etnetjetpetwetvetset
-edbedredfedled
-eglegpegbeg
-ebweb

Short e pack(7 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Short i words

-inpinbinwinfintin
-igdigbigwigfigjig
-itsithitkitfitbit
-iptipdiphipziplip
-idkidlidhiddid
-ixsixmixfix

Short i pack(7 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Short o words

-ogdoglogfogjog
-otpothotdotnotlotcot
-optopmophoppop
-oxboxfox
-objobrobcobsob
-odrodnod

Short o pack(7 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Short u words

-ugbugmugrughugtug
-unsunrunfunbun
-utnuthutcutbut
-ubtubrubcubsub
-upcuppup
-usbus

Short u pack(7 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

How to teach short vowels

One vowel at a time. Start with short a, then add the others one by one.
Use a key picture. cat for a, bed for e, pin for i, dog for o, sun for u. Children say the key word to find the sound.
Stretch the middle. Say c-aaa-t and hold the vowel so children hear it clearly.
Change one letter. hat, hut, hot: changing only the vowel shows how much it matters.
Mix them up. Once each vowel is known, sort and read mixed words so children listen every time.

Common questions

What are the short vowels?

The short vowels are the sounds a, e, i, o and u make in words like cat, bed, pin, dog and sun. A short vowel says its sound, not its name. In a three-letter CVC word, the short vowel sits in the middle.

Which short vowel should children learn first?

Most programs start with short a, because it is the easiest to hear and has many common words. Short e and short i sound alike, so teach them a few weeks apart and then practice them side by side.

How can I help a child hear the vowel?

Stretch the word and hold the middle sound: c-aaa-t. Tap one finger for each sound. The vowel is the middle finger in a three-letter word, so the child knows where to listen.

What comes after short vowels?

Long vowels. Once children read CVC words easily, they learn that a silent e or a vowel team makes the vowel say its name: cap becomes cape, and bet becomes beat.

Can I copy these worksheets for my class?

Yes. The PDFs are 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 files.

Next: long vowels CVC words Digraph worksheets