Keep this Digraphs Word List within reach during 1st Grade phonics. Twelve consonant digraphs and forty-eight example words sit on one print-ready page, so readers can check a spelling in seconds.
A short vowel E reading comprehension story worksheet starring Ben and his hen. 1st graders read the decodable story and answer questions. Includes a complete answer key — great for quick, no-prep phonics and reading practice.
This Long and Short Vowels Worksheet helps 1st graders identify long and short vowel sounds and practice silent-e words. Answer key included, making it perfect for quick, no-prep phonics practice at home or school.
This Blends Word List is a single-page phonics reference chart grouping L-blends, R-blends, and S-blends with example words for each. A clean, no-prep tool that helps 1st graders read and build blend words with confidence.
This Long Vowels Circling Worksheet gives 1st graders a 30-word grid where they circle every word that has a long vowel sound. Answer key included — perfect for quick, no-prep phonics practice at home or school.
This beginning digraphs fill in the blank worksheet has 1st graders write ch, sh, th or wh to finish words in sentences and under pictures. Answer key included, so it grades itself in seconds.
This ng and nk digraph worksheet gives 1st graders picture-clue practice writing the ending sounds in words like ring and skunk. An answer key is included for quick, no-prep phonics practice.
This S Blends Worksheet helps first graders spell and hear the beginning blends sn, sk, sp, sl, and sm by completing real words. Includes a complete answer key, perfect for no-prep phonics practice at home or school.
This EE EA Vowel Worksheet gives 1st graders fun practice sorting and spelling long E words spelled ee and ea. Includes an answer key — perfect for phonics centers, homework, or quick no-prep review.
This short vowels worksheet gives 1st graders a word bank and eight sentences to practice the a, e, i, o, and u sounds. Answer key included—great for no-prep phonics practice.
This NG/NK digraph worksheet asks 1st graders to sort six words by their ending sound and then build four more. Answer key included for fast, no-prep phonics practice.
The Pie Guy Phonics Reading Comprehension Story Worksheet - Long Vowel I Sound gives 1st graders a fun, decodable long-I story with five comprehension questions and a complete answer key for quick, no-prep reading practice.
The R-Controlled Vowels Fill in the Blanks Worksheet gives 1st graders a word box and ten sentences to practice ar, er, ir, or, and ur sounds. Answer key included — perfect for no-prep phonics practice.
This NG Phonics Stories worksheet gives first graders a decodable ng story with reading comprehension questions and a word-building activity. An answer key is included, so young readers build phonics and comprehension skills with confidence.
This Two Syllable Words Reading Words Worksheet gives 1st Grade readers hands-on practice splitting words into syllables and spotting two-syllable words, with an answer key included so checking work takes seconds.
This AI AY Digraphs Fill in Blanks Worksheet lets 1st graders use a word bank to complete eight sentences with long-a words spelled ai and ay. An answer key is included for quick, no-prep phonics practice.
A first grade Alphabet Stories Letter B Reading Comprehension Worksheet built around a short story about Bob and his birds. Includes an answer key — perfect for no-prep letter B reading practice at home or school.
The Pat and the Animals Phonics Reading Comprehension Story Worksheet - Short Vowel A Sound gives 1st graders a fun, decodable short A story with five comprehension questions and a complete answer key for easy, no-prep reading practice.
A w or wh worksheet that helps 1st graders decide which spelling makes the /w/ sound, with six picture clues and six picture-free words. Answer key included for fast, confident phonics practice.
This Mort OR sound phonics reading comprehension worksheet has 1st graders read a silly story full of OR words, then answer five fill-in-the-bubble questions. Includes an answer key for quick, no-prep phonics and reading practice.
From c-a-t to real reading!
First grade is when sounding out turns into real reading. Kids lock in short vowel words like c-a-t, then add consonant blends (st, fl, gr) and digraphs, where two letters make one sound: sh, ch, th, wh. Next comes the silent e that makes a vowel say its name, cap → cape, plus vowel teams like ee and ai and endings like -ing and -ed. The click comes when a child reads a brand-new word all by themselves and looks up grinning.
Explicit, a little every day, and always ending with real reading. Here are the moves we never skip.
Kids tap one finger per sound, then sweep their hand to blend: "sh... i... p... ship!" Digraphs get one tap because they make one sound. That little rule clears up a ton of confusion.
Why it works: the National Reading Panel found that systematic, explicit phonics teaching clearly improves how children learn to read.
Try it withDigraphs Word ListWorksheetsOpen it →Short vowels are the backbone of 1st grade, and kids need lots of reps. Turn review into a game so they read dozens of words without noticing. Listen in to see which vowel sounds still get mixed up.
Why it works: playful practice with a clear goal keeps kids practicing longer, and simple learning games have been shown to build real skills (Ramani and Siegler, 2008).
Try it withShort Vowel Review GameGamesOpen it →Once silent e is in play, give kids mixed lists: hop, hope, kit, kite. Making them decide every time is what builds real readers, not just pattern copiers.
Why it works: shuffled practice teaches kids to choose the right strategy, not just repeat one, and it improved test scores in research (Rohrer and Taylor, 2007).
Try it withLong and Short Vowels WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →Phonics can be the most giggly part of the day. These are our go-tos.
WorksheetsKids pick a blend card and race to read and write words that start with it: fl-ag, fl-op, fl-ip!
Open Blends Word List →
AssessmentsRead a short decodable story, then hunt for every word with the target vowel.
Open Ben and the Eggs Phonics Reading Comprehension Story Worksheet - Short Vowel E Sound →
VideosWarm up with a letter sound song. Even 1st graders love a quick sing-along before phonics.
Open Alphabet Songs (Classic Video Collection) →Teacher favorites right now: Digraphs Word List, Ben and the Eggs Phonics Reading Comprehension Story Worksheet - Short Vowel E Sound and Long and Short Vowels Worksheet.
By the end of 1st grade, kids should read short vowel words, consonant blends, digraphs (sh, ch, th, wh), silent e words and common vowel teams like ee, ea, ai and oa. They should also read words with -s, -ed and -ing endings and simple two-syllable words.
Most programs review short vowels and CVC words first, then blends and digraphs, then silent e (CVCe). Vowel teams, r-controlled vowels (ar, or, er) and endings usually come later in the year.
In class, 20 to 30 minutes of focused phonics is typical. At home, 10 minutes of reading words and a short decodable book is plenty. Consistency matters more than length.
Cover the picture and ask them to look at the letters and sound the word out. Praise every attempt to decode. Decodable books, where most words follow taught patterns, make this much easier.
Loved by 2 million teachers & families
Printables, songs and games for every subject, Preschool through 6th. Ready to teach today, and kids beg for more.
