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Classroom · Phonics · CCSS RF.1.3c
worksheets for 1st grade
Add an e to the end and the vowel says its name: cap becomes cape, kit becomes kite. These free seven-page packs teach long a, i and o with silent e, with pictures, sorting, sentences and an answer key.
- a_eLong a with silent e
cakemaketakelakegamename
- i_eLong i with silent e
bikelikehikeridesidehide
- o_eLong o with silent e
boneconehomehopenoterope
Silent e review (a, i, o and u)
Silent e review (a, i, o and u)Add the silent e to twelve words, spell eight pictures, an answer key and a Silent e Superstar certificate.
What is in each pack
- 1. Meet the wordsEight picture words with the vowel in color and the silent e in gray, three before-and-after examples, and more words to read.
- 2. Add the silent eEight short words. Children add an e, write the new word and read both: cap, cape.
- 3. Match the pictureDraw a line from each picture to its word.
- 4. Fill in the missing lettersWrite the vowel and the silent e, then the whole word.
- 5. Short or long?Sort twelve words: is there a silent e or not?
- 6. Read, trace and findTwelve words to trace and three sentences. Children circle the silent e words.
- 7. Answer key and tipEvery answer, a teaching tip and the most common mistake.
How to teach silent e
How to teach silent e- Short vowels first. Silent e only makes sense once children read CVC words like cap and kit easily.
- Show the change. Write cap on a card, then add an e card: cape. Take the e away and put it back.
- Look at the end first. Before reading, children check the end of the word for an e.
- Say the letter name. With a silent e, the vowel says its name: a, i, o.
- Sort short and long. Mixing cap and cape in one list makes children look closely every time.
Common questions
What is silent e?
Silent e is an e at the end of a word that is not sounded. It changes the vowel before it from short to long, so the vowel says its name: cap becomes cape, kit becomes kite, hop becomes hope. These are often called CVCe or magic e words.
When do children learn silent e?
Usually in 1st grade, after short vowel (CVC) words. In the Common Core, 1st grade children know the final -e convention for long vowel sounds (RF.1.3c).
Why is there no long e pack?
Very few common words use e with a silent e (Pete, these, eve), so most programs teach long e with ee and ea instead. The review pack includes long u words like cube, tube and cute.
Which words break the rule?
Some very common words end in e but keep a short vowel, such as come, some, done, love, give and have. Teach them as sight words so children are not confused.
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.
