Long or Short?
Read each word. Does the vowel say its name (long) or its sound (short)? Circle one.
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This is sheet #17324601.
How to do it
- Read the word.
- Is there a silent e at the end?
- Circle Long or Short.
Teaching tip
Long means the vowel says its name. Short means it makes its sound. This sheet is aligned with Common Core RF.1.3c.
About this worksheet
Twelve words, some with silent e and some without.
What kids practice
When a word ends in a vowel, a consonant and an e (like cake, kite, bone and cube), the e is silent and makes the first vowel say its name. That's called a long vowel. Comparing pairs like cap and cape helps kids see exactly what the e does. Silent e is usually the first long vowel pattern children learn in phonics.
Watch for
- Reading the e out loud, like kite-ee.
- Using the long vowel for every word after learning silent e, like reading cap as cape.
- Not noticing the e at the end. Have your child look at the last letter first.
It's free to print, with Fewer, Standard or More on the page and an answer key. See the full long vowels: silent e phonics guide for 1st grade.
More sheets in this set
- See it all
1. Silent E ChartTwelve short and long word pairs, like cap and cape, showing what a silent e does. 
2. Which Word?Ten pictures, each with a short vowel and a silent e word to choose from.
4. Silent e SortTwelve silent e words to sort by vowel.
5. Silent e SentencesTen sentences with a pair like kit and kite to choose from.
6. Color by Short or Long VowelA hidden picture made of word pairs like cap and cape, kit and kite, and hop and hope. Includes an answer key.