Phonics Word Lists &

In-a-Minute Activities
Contents
2-3 Beginning consonant sounds – word lists
4 Beginning vowel sounds – word lists
5-6 Beginning blends/digraphs – word lists
7 Beginning consonant clusters – word lists
8 In-a-Minute activities for letters and sounds Clip Art Credit
9-10 Short vowel words – word lists
11 Short vowel & bossy r - word lists
12 In-a-Minute activities for short vowels
13 Long a words - word lists
14 Long e words – word lists
15 Long i words – word lists
16 Long o words – word lists
17 Long u words – word lists
18 Diphthongs and other vowels – word lists
19 In-a-Minute activities for vowel patterns
20 Compound words – word list
21 6 Syllable types – word lists

Terms of Use
This printable resource is the intellectual property of Anna Geiger and Becky Spence
of www.teachingeveryreader.com.

You have permission to use this file for personal or classroom use only. In other words, you
may print, copy, and use this file only with the students you teach.

You do not have permission to share between teachers/classrooms, alter this file, sell,
host, email, give away, or store on any other site including a blog, Facebook groups and
forums, 4Shared, Dropbox, Amazon Inspire, etc.

Thank you for abiding by our terms of use. We pray that this will be a valuable resource
for you and your students!
 Beginning Consonant Sounds -1
These word lists can help you when planning alphabet activities for your learners.

Bb Cc Dd Ff
bag bee cab comet dad doctor fan foot
ball bell cake cob dance dog fence football
balloon big camera cookie deer doll fin fox
banana book can cop desk dolphin finger
barn box candle cot dig door fingernail
bat bud candy cow dip duck fire
bath bug cap cub dinner fish
bear butterfly cat cup dinosaur fishbowl
bed button caterpillar cupcake dish five

Gg Hh Jj Kk
ham hippo jab jog
gate gull kangaroo kiss
hand hive jacket jug
ghost gum karate kit
happy hockey jam juice
girl gun ketchup kite
hat house jar jump
golf kettle kitten
hay hub jeans Jupiter
goose key kiwi
heart hug jelly
gorilla kid koala
helicopter hut jellybeans
guitar king
helmet jellyfish
hen jet

Ll Mm Nn Pp
magnet mop nail nose pan pit
lab left panda pizza
man mouse nap note
ladder leg pants pocket
mask moustache neck number
ladybug lemon pear popcorn
milk mug necklace nub
lamb lion pencil pumpkin
mirror mushroom nest nut
lamp limo penguin purse
mitten net
land lollipop penny
money night
leaf picture
moon nine
pig
 Beginning Consonant Sounds-2
Qq Rr Ss Tt
quack rabbit rhino sack sock tab tomato
quail raccoon ribbon sad sun table toothbrush

quarter racket ring salami sunflower tag tortoise

queen rain road sandwich sunset tea tug
question rainbow robot Saturn teeth tugboat
quick raspberry rocket scissors telephone
quiet rat rose seahorse television
quill read rub seven tie
quilt red rug six tissues

Vv Ww Final -x Yy
wagon window
ax rex yacht yogurt
vacuum violin wall wink
box six yak yolk
valentine volcano wand winner
fax tux yam yoyo
valley vote water wolf
fix wax yard yuck
vase vulture watermelon worm
max yarn
vegetables web
mix yawn
vest well
ox yell
vine wind
pox yellow
windmill

Zz
zag
zebra
zero
zigzag
zinnia
zither
zipper
zoo
zucchini
 Beginning Vowel Sounds
Short a Long a
abacus alligator ant astronaut acorn ape Asia
actor ambulance antler avenue aim aid
add animal apple ax airplane April
alley ask angel apron

Short e Long e
echo elephant emerald envelope eagle eat emu evening
egg elevator empty exercise ear eel equal
eggplant elf engine exit easel Egypt eraser
elbow elk entrance east electricity even

Short i Long i
igloo inchworm inside itch ice iris
iguana India instrument iceberg iron
impala infant intersection icicle island
inch insect Italy idea ivy

Short o Long o
ocelot odd ostrich oak ocean over
octagon olive otter oat old overalls
October omelet ox oatmeal open
octopus opposite oboe oval

Short u Long u
ugly underline upset ukulele united
umbrella underwear upside down unicorn use
uncle unzip us unicycle utensils
under up uniform
 Beginning Blends/Digraphs Word List
These word lists can help you when planning blends & digraph activities for your learners.

bl br cl cr
black blocks bracelet broken clap cloth crab cricket
blanket blood branch broom claw clothes crack crocodile
blaze bloom bread brown clean cloud crane crop
bleach blossom break brush click clover crash crow
bleed blow breeze cliff clown crawl crown
blend blue brick climb club crayon crumb
blender blueberry bride cling crazy cry
blind bridge clip cream
blindfold broccoli clock crib

dr gl gr pl
grab greet
drag dribble plaid pliers
glad
grain grid
dragon drink plane plow
glass
grandma grin
dragonfly drip planet plug
glasses
grapes grill
drain drool plank plum
glide(r)
graph grizzly
drape drop plant plus
globe
grass groom
draw drum plate
glove
grave grow
dream dry platypus
glow
gravy grub
dress play
glue
green

pr sc sk sl
scale scoop skate skunk slam slime
pram printer
scallop scooter skateboard sky slap slip
prawn prism
scalp scope skeleton skyscraper sled slippers
pray prize
scar score ski sleep slope
present prong
scare scout skill sleeve slot
prey prune
scarecrow scuba skin sleigh sloth
price
scarf scuff skirt slice slow
prick
scone skull slide slug
princess
sling sly
 Beginning Blends/Digraphs Word List
These word lists can help you when planning blends & digraph activities for your learners.

sm sn sp st
smack space spinach stable steer
snack snore
small spade spine stack stem
snail snorkel
smart spaghetti spoke stage stick
snake snout
smell spear sponge stairs stir
snap snow
smile spell spoon stamp stone
sneakers snowman
smock spice sports stapler stool
sneeze snuggle
smoke spider spot star storm
sniff
smooth spill spout steam story
snip
smore spin spy steeple stump

sw tr ch sh
tractor tree chain chest shack ship
swamp swim
trail triangle chair chick(en) shadow shirt
swan swine
train trim chalk chimney shampoo shoe
swarm swing
trampoline trio chase chipmunk shamrock shop
swat switch
trap trolley chat chocolate shark short
sweat swoop
trash truck cheek choke shed shovel
sweater
tray trumpet cheese chopsticks sheep shower
sweep
treasure trunk cheetah church shelf shut
sweet
treats cherry shell

th wh kn wr
whack whip knapsack knock wrap
thermometer
whale whisk knead knoll wreath
thermos thirty
wheat whisper knee know wreck
thick thorn
wheel whistle kneel knuckle wrench
thimble thumb
wheelbarrow white knife wring
thin
when knight wrinkles
think
where knit wrist
thirst(y)
which knob write
thirteen
wrong
 Beginning Consonant Clusters
scr shr spl spr
scrape scrub shred shrub sprain springboard
splash
scraps scruffy shrew shrug spray sprint
splat
scratch shriek spread spry
splatter
scream shrill sprig
splendid
screen shrimp sprinkle
splint
screw shrine sprinkler
split
scribble shrink sprinkles
splurge
scroll shrivel spring

squ str thr

squabble squid straw stripe
thrash throw
squad squirrel strawberry stroke
three thrust
square squirt stray strong
thread
squash stream strum
threat
squat street
throat
squeak stretch
throb
squeal strike
throne
squeeze string
 In a Minute
Letters & Sounds Activities
Use these activities as a quick warm up or when you only have a minute.

What Begins/Ends with…? Quick Sort

Call out a letter, blend, or digraph. Use letter and picture cards from this
(Example: ch) Ask learners to think of pack to sort pictures by their
as many things as they can that beginning sounds. Place two or three
start/end with those particular letters. category cards in a pocket chart or on
(If you have a board, write down the the table top and sort the pictures
letters as a visual.) underneath.

Alphabet Book What’s in a Name?

If you have name cards for each student,
Take a little bit of time each day to use these for this activity. Randomly
work on an alphabet book together. distribute name cards. Help learners
Just use blank paper. Write the letter discover whose name they have.
at the top and get learners to draw Ask learners questions about their name
things that start with that letter. Help cards. Who has the most e’s? Who starts
them label their pictures. with J? Does anyone have a letter that
makes a surprising sound?

Mix and Match I Spy

Hand out several letter cards, one per
Place various letters (add blends,
student, if you can. For a more
digraphs, or consonant clusters for
advanced group, throw in blends,
more advanced groups) for all learners
digraphs, or consonant clusters. Make
to see. Say, “I Spy the letter that makes
the sound that matches one of the
the sound /p/.” When a learner answers
cards. The learner with that card raises
correctly, he gets to spy the next card.
his hand. If he’s correct, all learners
swap cards and it starts again.
 Short Vowel Word Lists
These word lists can help you when planning short vowel activities for your learners.

Short a Words
-AB -ACK -AD -AG -AM -AN -AP -ASH -AT Other
cab back bad bag bam ban cap bash bat gal
dab hack dad gag dam can gap cash cat pal
gab jack had lag ham Dan lap dash fat gas
jab lack lad nag jam fan map gash hat yak
nab pack mad rag ram man nap hash mat wax
tab rack pad sag Sam pan rap lash pat tax
blab sack sad tag yam ran sap mash rat bath
crab tack tad wag clam tan tap rash sat math
grab black glad brag cram van yap sash vat
scab clack drag scam clan chap clash brat
stab crack flag slam plan clap crash chat
slab slack snag spam scan flap flash flat
smack stag swam than slap slash gnat
snack tram snap smash spat
stack wham trap
track wrap
whack

Short e Words
-ECK -ED -EG -ELL -EN -ET Other
deck bed beg bell den bet yes
neck fed keg cell hen get web
peck led leg dell men jet gem
check red peg sell pen let hem
fleck wed tell ten met pep
speck bled well then net prep
wreck bred yell when pet step
fled dwell set
sled shell vet
shed smell wet
spell yet
swell fret
 Short Vowel Word Lists Continued
These word lists can help you when planning short vowel activities for your learners.

Short i Words
-ICK -ID -IG -IM -IN -IP -ISH -IT Other
kick bid big dim bin dip dish bit him
lick did dig him din hip fish fit fix
pick hid fig rim fin lip wish hit mix
sick kid gig brim pin nip swish kit six
tick lid jig grim sin rip lit bib
wick rid pig skim tin sip pit fib
brick skid rig slim win tip sit Rib
chick slid wig swim chin zip knit crib
click zig trim grin clip quit this
flick twig whim shin drip slit
quick skin flip skit
slick spin grip
stick thin ship
thick twin skip
trick slip
snip
trip
whip

Short o Words
-OB -OCK -OG -OP -OT Other
bob dock bog bop cot box
cob lock cog slop shot fox
gob rock dog cop dot pox
job sock fog stop slot god/God
lob tock hog hop got rod
mob block jog mop spot sod
rob clock log pop hot mom
sob flock blog top jot
blob shock clog chop lot
glob smock frog crop not
knob stock drop pot
slob flop rot
snob glop tot
plop blot
shop knot
plot
 Short Vowel & Bossy R Word Lists
These word lists can help you when planning short vowel & bossy r activities for your learners.

Short u Words
-UB -UCK -UD -UG -UM -UMP -UN -USH -UT Other
cub buck bud bug bum bump bun gush but bus
dub duck cud dug gum dump fun hush cut cup
hub luck dud hug hum hump gun lush gut pup
nub muck mud lug mum jump nun mush hut
rub puck spud mug sum lump pun rush jut
sub suck stud pug chum pump run blush nut
tub tuck thud rug drum rump sun brush rut
grub yuck tug glum clump spun crush shut
snub chuck drug plum grump stun flush
stub cluck plug scum plump plush
pluck slug slum slump slush
stuck snug stump
truck thump

Bossy R Words
AR ER IR OR UR
arch harp clerk bird born scorn blur surf
arm jar fern birth chord short blurt turf
art lark germ chirp cord storm burn turn
bar march her dirt cork torch burr
barb mark herb firm corn worn burst
bark park herd first for church
barn part jerk girl force churn
car scar nerve shirt fork curb
card scarf per sir fort curl
cart shark perch skirt forth curve
charm sharp perk squirm horn hurl
chart smart serve squirt horse hurt
dark snarl stern stir lord lurch
dart spark swerve swirl nor lurk
far star term third norm nurse
farm start verse thirst north purr
hard yard twirl porch purse
harm yarn pork spur
 In a Minute
Short Vowel Phonics Activities
Use these activities as a quick warm up or when you only have a minute.

As Many As You Can Left Out

Write 6-8 words on a dry erase board.
Read the words quickly, leaving out
Show a word with a particular vowel ONE word. Ask learners to listen for the
pattern. Together, think of as many
one word that you left out from the list.
words as you can that have that vowel To make it extra challenging, say the
sound. words out of order, say the words even
faster, or write a longer list.

Grub Time! Stack it Up!

If you have access to an animal puppet Place 2-3 words, each with different
or stuffed animal, use it for this activity. patterns on a table top. (Stay away from
Place several word cards down on a using words with ambiguous spelling
table top or pocket chart. Tell learners patterns, such as ir and er.) Call out
the animal only eats words with this words that have those vowel sounds.
vowel pattern _____ (show the target Learners take turns stacking pennies or
word or vowel pattern). Read the words small, flat counters on top of the word
together and feed only the targeted that shares the same pattern. Show each
vowel pattern to the puppet. word so learners can check it.

Am I Right? Line Up
Lining up to go outside or perhaps to
Quickly and incorrectly sort various music? Grab a stack of word cards. Show
picture (or word) cards under vowel one word to each learner. When they read
category cards. Can your learners find the word correctly, they may line up.
the mistakes and help you fix them? As
learners get the hang of the game, *Instead of showing cards randomly,
challenge them by making more consider quickly choosing a word from the
mistakes or using 3-4 categories. stack for each learner to ensure it’s a word
he/she has the decoding skills to read.
 Long a Word Lists
These word lists can help you when planning long vowel activities for your learners.

Long a Patterns
a_e words
ace cave gaze mane sake wade drape place slate
age date hate mate sale wake flake plane space
ape daze jade name same wave flame plate stage
ate face lace pace sane bathe grace phase stale
bake fade lake page save blade grade quake state
base fake lame pale take blame grape scale taste
cage fame lane pane tale blaze grate shade trace
cake fate late race tame brake grave shame trade
came game made rage tape chase graze shape waste
cane gate make rate vane crane haste skate whale
cape gave male safe vase crate paste slave

ai words ay words
aid mail vain plain bay bray
ail main wait quaint day clay
aim nail braid saint hay fray
bail paid brain snail jay gray
bait pail chain stain lay play
fail pain claim strain may pray
gain raid drain trail nay slay
hail rail frail train ray stay
jail rain faith waist say sway
laid sail grain way tray
maid tail paint yay

Less Common Long a Patterns

beige grey break
eight hey great
freight prey steak
heir they
neigh whey
reign
rein
sleigh
vein
weigh
weight
 Long e Word Lists
These word lists can help you when planning long vowel activities for your learners.

Long e Patterns
ee words
bee jeep reel weep creed sheen sweep
beef keen see flee creek sheep sweet
beep keep seed free creep sheet wheel
beet meek seek glee fleet sleek breeze
deed meet seem knee greed sleep cheese
deep need seen spree green sleet freeze
eel peek seep three greet speech sleeve
feed peel tee tree kneel speed sneeze
feel peep wee bleed queen steel
feet reed weed breed preen steep
heel reef week cheek screen street

ea words
bead leak sea creak reach breathe
beak lean seal cream scream cease
beam leap seam dream sneak crease
bean mean seat feast squeak grease
beat meal tea flea squeal league
deal meat team each steal leave
ear neat weak east steam peace
eat pea beach knead teach please
heal peak beast least treat weave
heap read clean peach
lead real cleat plead

ie words
brief shield
chief shriek
field siege
fierce thief
grief
grieve
niece
piece
pier
priest
 Long i Word Lists
These word lists can help you when planning long vowel activities for your learners.

Long i Patterns
i_e words
bike hive mime site bribe prize swipe scribe
bite ice mine size bride quite tribe stride
dime jive nice tide chime shine twice strike
dine kite nine tile crime slice twine stripe
dive life pile time drive slide while thrive
fife like pine vine glide smile whine
file lime pipe wife guide spice white
fine line rice wide knife spike write
five live ride wine price spine
hide mice ripe wipe pride spite
hike mile side wise prime swine

igh words -y words

high right by sly
sigh sight cry spry
thigh slight dry spy
bright fly wry
fight fry why
flight my
fright ply
light pry
might dry
night sky

single i words -ie words

bind rind
blind sign
child wild die
climb wind lie
find pie
grind tie
hind
kind
mild
mind
 Long o Word Lists
These word lists can help you when planning long vowel activities for your learners.

Long o Patterns
o_e words
bone hope pose wove phone stove
code hose robe zone probe those
cone joke role broke prone whole
cope lobe Rome choke quote wrote
cove lone rope chose scope strode
dome mode rose close shone stroke
dose mole rove clothe slope throne
dote nose sole drone smoke
doze note tone drove spoke
hole poke tote froze stole
home pole vote globe stone

oa words ow words
bow glow
boat moan bloat toast low grow
coal moat boast throat mow grown
coat oak cloak sow know
coax oat croak tow known
foal road coach own show
foam roam coast blow shown
goal soak float blown slow
goat soap groan bowl snow
load toad poach crow throw
loaf whoa roach flow thrown
loan roast flown

single o words -oe words

bold host volt
bolt jolt ghost doe
both mold scold foe
cold most troll hoe
colt old scroll Joe
comb poll toe
fold post woe
folk sold
gold told
hold toll
 Long u Word Lists
These word lists can help you when planning long vowel activities for your learners.

Long u Patterns
u_e words -ui words -ue words
cube mule chute
cue
cute mute flute
suit hue
dude nude plume
fruit sue
duke rude prune
bruise blue
dune rule spruce
cruise clue
fume ruse
juice fuel
fuse tube
glue
huge tune
true
June use
cruel
lube
lute

oo words
boo hoot soon bloom smooth
boom loom too boost spook
boot loop tool brood spoon
cool moo toot drool stool
coop mood zoo droop stoop
doom moon zoom gloom swoop
food noon groom tooth
fool pool proof troop
goof roof roost whoop
hoof room scoop school
hoop root shoot

ew words
dew knew
few phew
new stew
pew whew
brew screw
chew shrew
crew strew
drew threw
flew
grew
 Diphthongs & Other Vowel Word Lists
These word lists can help you when planning vowel activities for your learners.

ow words ou words
bow down crowd foul crouch ouch sound
cow fowl crown loud doubt pouch south
how gown drown out found pound spout
now howl frown pout ground proud sprout
pow owl growl about hound round house
sow plow prowl cloud mound scout mouse
vow brown scowl couch mount shout
wow clown count mouth snout

oo words oi words oy words

book nook shook boil broil choice boy
cook roof stood coil hoist noise coy
foot soot coin joint voice joy
good took foil moist soy
hood wood join point toy
hoof wool oil spoil ploy
hook brook soil annoy
look crook toil cowboy
enjoy

aw words au words
caw claw lawn haul caught
jaw crawl shawl maul taught
law dawn thaw fault cause
paw draw yawn fraud pause
raw drawn sprawl haunt sauce
saw fawn squawk launch because
awe gnaw straw vault
bawl hawk taunt

al words w + a words
all bald salt swamp wasp
ball balk scald swap watt
call balm small swat watch
fall calm stalk walk
hall chalk stall wand
mall false talk want
tall halt walk was
wall palm wash
 In a Minute
Vowel Patterns Phonics Activities
Use these activities as a quick warm up or when you only have a minute.

As Many As You Can Left Out

Write 6-8 words on a dry erase board.
Read the words quickly, leaving out
Show a word with a particular vowel
ONE word. Ask learners to listen for the
pattern. Together, think of as many
one word that you left out from the list.
words as you can that have that vowel
To make it extra challenging, say the
sound.
words out of order, say the words even
faster, or write a longer list.

Grub Time! Stack it Up!

If you have access to an animal puppet Place 2-3 words, each with different
or stuffed animal, use it for this activity. patterns on a table top. (Stay away from
Place several word cards down on a using words with ambiguous spelling
table top or pocket chart. Tell learners patterns at first, such as ee and ea.) Call
the animal only eats words with this out words that have those vowel sounds.
vowel pattern _____ (show the target Learners take turns stacking pennies or
word or vowel pattern). Read the words small, flat counters on top of the word
together and feed only the targeted that shares the same pattern. Show each
vowel pattern to the puppet. word so learners can check it.

Am I Right? Line Up
Lining up to go outside or perhaps to
Quickly and incorrectly sort various music? Grab a stack of word cards. Show
picture (or word) cards under vowel one word to each learner. When they read
category cards. Can your learners find the word correctly, they may line up.
the mistakes and help you fix them? As
learners get the hang of the game, *Instead of showing cards randomly,
challenge them by making more consider quickly choosing a word from the
mistakes or using 3-4 categories. stack for each learner to ensure it’s a word
he/she has the decoding skills to read.
 Compound Word List
These word lists can help you when planning activities for your learners.

airplane downstairs homemade peapod spotlight

airport downtown homesick piggyback starfish
anybody dragonfly homework playground sunflower
anymore eyeball horseback playhouse sunlight
anyone eyebrow horsefly playroom toothbrush
anything eyelash horseplay policeman toothpaste
anywhere eyesight horseshoe popcorn treehouse
armchair farmland housework racecar underline
backbone firefly jellyfish racehorse underground
backpack fireman ladybug railroad underwater
backyard fireplace landfill railway waterbed
barefoot firewood landmark rainbow watercolor
basketball fireworks landslide raincoat waterfall
bathroom flashback lifeguard raindrop watermelon
bathtub flashlight lifejacket rainfall wildlife
bedtime flowerpot lifelong roadblock windmill
birdbath football lifetime roadway windshield
birthday footprint lighthouse roadwork workbox
blackbird footstep lookout saltwater workout
blacktop footstool mailbox sandbox
blowout goldfish mailman sandpaper
bookmark granddaughter moonlight sawhorse
bookcase grandfather nightgown seacoast
bookworm grandmother nightlife seafood
butterfly grandson nighttime seagull
buttermilk greenhouse outcast seahorse
campfire haircut outcome seasick
checkbook hairdo outdo seashore
clubhouse hairstyle outdoors seaweed
cookbook handbag outfield snowball
cookout handmade outline snowfall
countdown handout outsmart snowflake
cupcake handshake overall snowman
daylight handstand overboard somebody
doghouse handwriting overcast someday
doorbell headache overcome somehow
doorknob headband overflow someone
doorway headlights overhead something
doughnut headphone overlook sometime
downhill hideout overnight somewhere
download homeland pancake spaceship
 6 Syllable Types Word Lists
These word lists can help you when planning activities for your learners.

Closed Syllables Open Syllables

attic happen basket number baby hero paper spiral
blizzard kitten cactus pencil bacon human pilot student
button mitten contest picnic bonus lazy pirate super
butter muffin dentist plastic crater meter prefix tiger
cotton office doctor pretzel crazy minus robot tuba
dipper puppet elbow public diner moment rodent tulip
follow rabbit frantic reptile even motor rotate veto
fossil ribbon helmet sister event music ruler writer
funny supper lumber tablet evil nation secret
gallop traffic magnet trumpet famous navy slimy
hammer yellow master winter fever open sofa
napkin velvet frozen over spider

R-Controlled Syllables CVCe Syllables

artist dirty mercy sturdy baseball lively useful
barber firmly morsel thirsty basement lonely wakeful
border forty normal thirteen bracelet nineteen
boring furnish orbit thirty driveway ninety
burner garden orchard tortoise facelift pavement
carbon garlic party turkey graceful racecar
carpet harbor perfect turnip grateful safety
carton harvest permit virtue homesick sideswipe
circus hurry person homework sidewalk
corner kernel serpent hopeful spacewalk
curfew marble servant iceberg spiteful
curtain market stormy

Vowel Team Syllables C + le Syllables

author easy painter scooter angle cripple hurdle puzzle
awesome freedom pauper season ankle dimple little rattle
awkward goalie peanut sewer apple drizzle marble riddle
beaver juicy pewter slowly battle eagle middle ripple
bowling laundry player soapy bubble fable muscle saddle
cheetah lawyer powder toaster bugle fiddle needle sample
coaster lousy rainbow toilet cable freckle noodle simple
council loyal reason towel candle fumble pebble stable
cowboy maybe roadway tower cattle gentle pickle turtle
crayfish mayhem rooster tweezers circle grumble poodle twinkle
crayon ointment royal voyage cradle gurgle puddle waffle
daisy owner sausage crinkle handle purple wrinkle