Change the numbers, layout and number of problems, then download a new PDF with its answer key.
These free short vowel review worksheets mix the five short vowels a, e, i, o and u, with sorts, a roll and read game, a fluency grid and a vowel swap page. Use them after the single-vowel word family worksheets, to check that a child can tell the vowels apart. Choose the mixed families -at, -et, -it, -ot and -ut, or pick your own, and print the PDF.
Short vowel review worksheets to print (PDF)
These four pages show the short vowel review worksheets: the vowel swap page, a mixed word family sort, the vowel swap answer key and a fluency grid with 40 mixed words. Click a picture for the PDF, or use the generator above to choose other families.
Vowel swapEight frames a page.PDFMixed word family sortCut and glue.PDFVowel swap answer keyReal words listed.Fluency grid40 mixed words.PDF
Short vowel worksheets: why a review matters
Children who have learned each vowel on its own, one family at a time, often struggle when the vowels are mixed, because they can no longer rely on the pattern of the page. Short vowel worksheets that mix the vowels check that the child is listening to the middle sound of each word and not just recognizing a family ending. The five families -at, -et, -it, -ot and -ut each use a different vowel and the same final letter, so the only clue is the vowel itself.
Mixed short vowels: how the sort works
In the sort, the five families are in columns, and the child cuts out word cards and glues each under the right ending. The two-page sort shows up to three families on a page. The task makes children look at the middle of the word, which is the hardest part for most beginners. Wikipedia’s phonics article describes the approach of teaching sounds with letters.
Vowel swap worksheet: 50 frames with real words
The vowel swap page gives a frame such as c _ t, with the five vowels a, e, i, o and u in circles. The child tries each vowel and writes every real word that it makes: cat, cot and cut. The generator has 50 frames, and each has at least two real words. This table shows how many frames have 2, 3, 4 or 5 words:
Real words in the frame
Number of frames
Example
2
30
c _ b → cob, cub
3
16
b _ d → bad, bed, bid
4
3
b _ t → bat, bet, bit, but
5
1
b _ g → bag, beg, big, bog, bug
A page has eight frames, and the answer key lists the words from the generator’s word lists. Other real words may also be correct, so check unusual answers before marking them wrong.
CVC words worksheet: how the pairs differ by one letter
A CVC word has a consonant, a vowel and a consonant. When the consonants stay the same and only the vowel changes, children hear exactly what the vowel does. Here are some frames to try:
Pair
Short a
Short e
Short i
Short o
Short u
b _ g
bag
beg
big
bog
bug
p _ t
pat
pet
pit
pot
put (not short u)
h _ t
hat
(het is not a word)
hit
hot
hut
m _ d
mad
(med is not used)
(mid is a word)
(mod is rare)
mud
b _ d
bad
bed
bid
(bod is rare)
(bud)
c _ t
cat
(cet is not a word)
kit
cot
cut
Read a row aloud with the child, and ask which of the words is a real word and which is not. The silly words are a good way to check that children are decoding and not guessing from the picture.
Short vowel review worksheets: what is in the packet
The generator prints each part on its own or the complete packet. For the five mixed families, the page counts are:
Printable
Pages
Word family houses
5
Word wheels
5
Word family sort
2
Roll and read
1
Fluency grid
1
Vowel swap with answer key
2
Complete packet
16
For a quick review, print the sort and the vowel swap, which take about 15 minutes together. Use the fluency grid every few days, and let the child try to read more words in a minute than last time.
A review plan for the five short vowels
Day
Printable
Goal
Monday
Mixed word family sort
Look at the middle sound
Tuesday
Vowel swap, first page
Write real words for each frame
Wednesday
Roll and read
Read mixed words quickly
Thursday
Vowel swap, second page
Check answers with the key
Friday
Fluency grid, three tries
Count the words read in a minute
The Common Core asks kindergarten children to associate the short sounds with the common spellings of the five vowels (RF.K.3.B) and grade 1 children to decode regularly spelled one-syllable words (RF.1.3.B). A review like this one is the best way to check both.
Printing tip
Print at 100% or “Actual size” and turn off “Fit to page”, so every measurement on the sheet is exact. Choose Letter or A4 paper in the generator before you download the PDF.
Short vowel review worksheets: frequently asked questions
When should I use the short vowel review worksheets?
Use them after the five short vowel word family pages, short a, e, i, o and u, to check that the child can tell the vowels apart.
What is a vowel swap worksheet?
It gives a frame such as c _ t, and the child tries each vowel and writes the real words, such as cat, cot and cut.
Can I choose my own word families?
Yes. Pick any families in the generator, and the sort, the roll and read and the fluency grid will use them.
Do the worksheets have answer keys?
Yes. The vowel swap has an answer key page, and the sorts can be checked against the family endings.
Are these short vowel review worksheets free?
Yes. They are free to print for home and classroom use, with no sign-up.
