Sound Boxes
Say the word slowly. Write one sound in each box.
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This is sheet #26424601.
How to do it
- Say the picture name slowly.
- Tap a finger for each sound you hear.
- Write one sound in each box.
Teaching tip
If your child is stuck, say the word slowly and push a coin into each box as you say each sound. This sheet is aligned with Common Core L.1.2d.
About this worksheet
Ten pictures of short words with one box for each sound.
What kids practice
In first grade, spelling grows out of phonics. Kids learn to hear each sound in a word and write a letter for it, starting with short words like cat and sun. Then they learn patterns, like word families (cat, hat, mat) and the magic e that changes kit into kite.
Watch for
- Leaving out the vowel, like writing ct for cat.
- Mixing up short e and short i, like writing pin for pen.
- Writing letters in the wrong order, especially the last two sounds.
- Adding an e to every word once they learn magic e.
It's free to print, with Fewer, Standard or More on the page and an answer key. See the full spelling with phonics patterns guide for 1st grade.
More sheets in this set
- See it all
1. Spelling Patterns ChartSound boxes for cat, ship and frog, the five short vowel sounds with pictures, magic e pairs like cap and cape, and the -at word family. 
3. Missing VowelTwelve pictures of short words with the vowel missing. A vowel bank sits at the top.
4. Word Family HousesFour word family houses. Some of the letters make real words and some do not.
5. Magic eAdd a silent e to change short words into long vowel words, then match words to pictures.