Browse all
  • 1st Grade
  • Writing
  • About 10 minutes
  • See it all: a chart to keep

Spelling Patterns Chart

To spell a word, say it slowly. Write one sound at a time.

Need more than one? Tap + for extra copies (up to 10).

Spelling Patterns ChartName:Date:To spell a word, say it slowly. Write one sound at a time.Sound boxes: one box for each soundcatshipfrogTwo letters can make one sound, like sh, ch and th. They share one box.Short vowel soundsacatebedipigodogubusMagic eA quiet e at the end makes the vowel say its name.capcape→cubcube→Word families share an ending:cathatmatsatkit → kitepin → pinehop → hopek5printables.com · Sheet #86424601 · Aligned with Common Core L.1.2d

How to do it

  1. Say the word slowly and tap one box for each sound.
  2. Check the short vowel sound in the middle.
  3. Look for magic e and word families.

Teaching tip

Have your child stretch the word out loud like a rubber band before writing it. This sheet is aligned with Common Core L.1.2d.

Spelling Patterns Chart for 1st grade (spelling with phonics patterns), free printable
Printable preview

About this chart

Sound 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.

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, as many copies as you need. See the full spelling with phonics patterns guide for 1st grade.

More sheets in this set