Short Vowel Sort: o and u

Grade level

Kindergarten

Time

About 15 minutes

Topic

Short vowels and CVC words

Answer key

Yes, page 2 of the PDF

Kids practice

Short vowel sounds, Blending CVC words, Segmenting sounds, Reading short sentences

What kids do

“Read each word. Listen to the vowel in the middle. Write it under short o or short u.”

Words on this sheet

cotsubgumhogjughutfoxbunpodcubshort osobjobshort u

Teacher tip

Short o and short u sound close. Open wide for o, relax for u.

How to use it

• Model blending with your arm: touch your shoulder, elbow and wrist for each sound, then slide down.
• Push a counter into each sound box as you say each sound.
• Use it in a small reading group so you can hear each child sound out a few words.

Watch for

Short e and short i are the hardest to tell apart. Exaggerate the mouth shapes.

Talk about it

• Is that a real word or a silly word?
• Can you think of another word with the same sound?

Take it further

Write a silly CVC sentence and draw it.

US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.