Long Vowel U Worksheet

The long u sound shows up in words a first grader already says every day, and hearing it is a step toward reading them on their own. This Long Vowel U Worksheet gives that listening practice a clear two-part shape. Children say the name of each of six pictures out loud, circle the three that carry the long u sound, and then read three short sentences and write the missing long u word from a word box. Saying the picture name first is the whole point: the child has to hear the vowel before deciding, instead of hunting for a letter on the page.

The sheet works well as a first-grade phonics warm up, as review before a spelling test, or as a quiet independent activity. Say the six picture names together, let students circle the long u ones, then read the sentences aloud before anyone writes. An answer key is included on the second page, so checking the work takes a moment.

What’s Included

• One printable worksheet page with two parts
• Six picture cards to name and sort by sound, three with the long u sound and three without
• A four-word word box with one extra word that fits no sentence
• Three sentences with a wide writing line sized for first grade handwriting
• A complete answer key on the final page

Three Reasons This Helps Kids

• It separates hearing a sound from spelling it, which is the order young readers actually learn in.
• Every word in the box carries the long u sound, so the sentences cannot be solved by listening alone and the child has to read.
• It gives real writing practice on lines with plenty of room, so handwriting improves alongside the phonics.

Try turning this 1st grade alphabet worksheet into a listening game: name objects around the room and have the class give a thumbs up when they hear the long u sound. You can also cover the word box, let students try the sentences from memory, then uncover it to check. Partners can take turns pointing at a picture and saying its name out loud. Teachers using this long vowel u worksheet in a phonics center often laminate one copy so students can practice with a dry erase marker before writing their own.

Related Resources

• Short and Long Vowel U Worksheet
• Circling Long Vowel Sounds U Worksheet
• Long Vowel U Puzzle
• Letter U Song (Animated Music Video)