CVC short e u review worksheet

This free CVC short e u review worksheet provides young readers with focused, multi-page decoding and handwriting practice contrasting short e (/ɛ/) and short u (/ʌ/).

Featuring matching-onset word pairs like bed/bug, jet/jug, hen/hug, and den/dug, these four printable pages eliminate consonant-guessing habits, strengthen phonemic awareness, and reinforce fine-motor handwriting skills.

Teaching ideas

• Vowel Column Sorting: Have students cut out the word cards from Page 1 and sort them into two columns: "Short E (Smiling Grin)" and "Short U (Relaxed Sigh)".
• Matching-Onset Contrast: Place jet and jug side-by-side. Ask students: "Both words start with /j/, but what makes them different?" Have them pronounce each vowel while noting tongue movement.
• Two-Color Handwriting: On Page 2, instruct children to trace short e words with one color (like blue) and short u words with another color (like green) to visually anchor orthographic mapping.
• Partner Roll-and-Read: Use Page 4 as a small-group literacy game. Students take turns rolling a die, reading the corresponding row aloud, and earning points for accurate vowel pronunciation.
• Take-Home Reading Routine: Send the completed packet home so parents can practice quick flashcard drills and reading fluency using familiar decodable words.

Simple Bitsboard connection

Reinforce these exact contrast words digitally using Bitsboard. Children can practice auditory identification in Photo Touch, spelling in Word Builder, and rapid decoding in Pop Quiz.