Phonics worksheet · Syllables and word building

Suffixes: -er and -est

Ten words to compare with -er and -est: taller and tallest, faster and fastest, bigger and biggest. The doubling rule is on the sheet.

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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

“Add -er or -est to each word. Watch out: some words double their last letter first!”

Printed on the sheet:

  1. 2 -est is the most of all tall + est → tallest vowel and one last

Teacher tip

Compare three classmates’ heights for taller and tallest.

How to use it

  • Teach one rule at a time and post it on the board.
  • Read each new word in a sentence so kids hear the meaning change.
  • Keep a set of letter tiles or magnetic letters on the table for building words.

Watch for

Kids who split syllables by letter count instead of sound. Clap the word again.

Talk about it

  • How many parts does this word have?
  • What sound does this letter or letter team make?

Take it further

Make a class book of compound words with a drawing for each.

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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