1st grade
Short or Long? CVC and Magic E
Twelve words to sort by their vowel sound: hop and hope, can and cane, kit and kite. The magic e rule is on the sheet.
Phonics worksheet · Long vowels
Magic E Sentences
Eight sentences where only one of two look-alike words fits: kit or kite, cap or cape, cub or cube. Kids read the sentence to decide.
- Grade level
- 1st grade
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Topic
- Long vowels
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Long vowel sounds, Magic e, Vowel teams, Spelling choices
What kids do
“Short or long? Read each sentence. Circle the word that makes sense. Write it on the line.”
Printed on the sheet:
- My dog likes to
Words on this sheet
I fly mykitkitePut thecapcapeThecubcubetaktakeMom put anotnotetubtuberodrodehowlhide
Teacher tip
Read the sentence both ways. Only one makes sense.
How to use it
- Show the magic e with a wand: tap the e and the vowel says its name.
- Write the long vowel spellings for one sound side by side on the board.
- Keep a set of letter tiles or magnetic letters on the table for building words.
Watch for
Vowel team rules have exceptions, like bread and head. Treat them as words to remember.
Talk about it
- What other way could this sound be spelled?
- How did you figure out that word?
Take it further
Play “short or long” with word cards and a jump left or right.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More long vowels worksheets
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Word Families: -ake, -ate, -ame
Magic e word families: eleven starting letters to put in front of -ake, -ate and -ame to build cake, gate, game and more.
1st grade
Magic E 2: a_e and i_e
Six new words that change when you add an e: mad to made, plan to plane, fin to fine, dim to dime. Then draw a rat and a plane.
1st grade
Magic E 2: o_e and u_e
Six new words that change when you add an e: glob to globe, hug to huge, us to use, slop to slope. Then draw a mop and a globe.
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