Worksheet
Beginning Sounds
Children listen for the first sound in simple words like sun, map and dog, then circle, write and match the letter that makes it. A…
- Difficulty
- Getting started
- Time
- 12 min
- Questions
- 20 questions
- Answers
- Answers included
WorksheetYear 1Getting started
Free Year 1 Short Vowel Sounds: a, e, i, o, u Worksheet
A first phonics worksheet on the five short vowel sounds: a as in apple, e as in egg, i as in insect, o as in octopus and u as in umbrella. Children circle the word with each vowel sound, then write the missing vowel in short words like bag, hen and mop. Hearing the vowel in the middle of a word is the key step before reading and spelling CVC words.
Instant download · No sign-up · Free for personal, classroom and homeschool use
- Year
- Year 1
- Subject
- English
- Topic
- Spelling Patterns & Rules
- Difficulty
- Getting started
- Estimated time
- 12 minutes
- Curriculum
- New Zealand Curriculum
- Questions
- 12
- Answers
- Included, with working
- Format
- PDF (A4), print or complete online
Students will practise
- hearing the five short vowel sounds
- matching a short vowel sound to its letter
- writing the middle vowel in a CVC word
Curriculum: New Zealand Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.
What's next?
Completed: Short Vowel Sounds: a, e, i, o, u
How to use this worksheet
- Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
- Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
- Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
- Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.
Common questions
Who is this worksheet for?
Year 1 students (typically ages 5–6) working on spelling patterns & rules. It is pitched at getting started.
Are the answers included?
Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.
How long does it take?
About 12 minutes for 12 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.
Do I need to sign up to download?
No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.
What should we do next?
Try CVC Word Families: -at, -an, -ig, -op, -ug.
Preview
Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 1 · English · Spelling Patterns & RulesShort Vowel Sounds: a, e, i, o, u
Name
Date
Score /
The five vowels are a, e, i, o and u. Say each word slowly and listen for the sound in the middle.
Part A: Hear the vowel
Grown-up: read the words aloud. Child: listen for the sound and circle the word.
1.Which word has a as in apple?
- Apig
- Bhat
- Csun
2.Which word has e as in egg?
- Abed
- Bcup
- Cdog
3.Which word has i as in insect?
- Atop
- Bbag
- Csit
4.Which word has o as in octopus?
- Ahot
- Bred
- Cbus
5.Which word has u as in umbrella?
- Apin
- Bnut
- Cten
Part B: Write the vowel
Say the word slowly. Write the missing vowel: a, e, i, o or u.
6.Say bag. b (answer space)g
7.Say hen. h (answer space)n
8.Say fin. f (answer space)n
9.Say mop. m (answer space)p
10.Say rug. r (answer space)g
11.Say lip. l (answer space)p
Part C: Your turn
12.Write a word with the short a sound and a word with the short o sound.
Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.
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About this resource
- Created by
- Success Tutoring
- Last reviewed
- 1 October 2026
- How it was made
- Written by our team
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