2nd grade
ph and gh say /f/
ph and gh can both say /f/. Eight sentences: phone, laugh, elephant, cough, dolphin, rough, photo and tough.
Phonics worksheet · Syllables and word building
Open and Closed Syllables
Twelve words to sort into open syllables (go, me, hi) and closed syllables (got, men, him). The rule is printed on the sheet.
- Grade level
- 2nd grade
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Syllables, Prefixes and suffixes, Spelling rules for endings, Compound words
What kids do
“Read each word. Does it end in a vowel or a consonant? Write it in the right column.”
Printed on the sheet:
- A closed syllable ends in a consonant and the vowel is short (cat, hop). An open syllable ends in a vowel and the vowel is long (go, me).
Words on this sheet
gothimgomesheshedmennotwewethi
Teacher tip
Open syllables end in a vowel that says its name. Closed ones end in a consonant.
How to use it
- Clap, tap or put a hand under your chin to feel each syllable.
- Write the base word in one color and the ending or prefix in another.
- Say every word on the sheet together before kids start, stretching the sounds.
Watch for
Kids who split syllables by letter count instead of sound. Clap the word again.
Talk about it
- How did the prefix change the meaning?
- How did you figure out that word?
Take it further
Hunt for -ed and -ing words in a story and sort them.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
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Syllable Split: Open Syllables
Ten words where the first part ends in a long vowel (mu|sic, pa|per, ba|by), up to com|pu|ter and po|ta|to.
2nd grade
Adding -ed
Ten verbs to put in the past with -ed, with the three spelling rules on the sheet: walked, hopped, baked, clapped and smiled.
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