Kindergarten CVC Words Worksheet (Missing Middle Vowel)
Say each CVC word and write the missing middle vowel (a, e, i, o, or u).
- Centers
- Homework
- Morning Work
- Intervention
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No sign-up required. Clean, low-ink US Letter format.
- Grade
- Kindergarten
- Subject
- Phonics
- Skill
- Phonics
- Topic
- CVC words and short vowels
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 10 minutes
- Pages
- 2 (incl. answer key)
- Format
- Printable PDF (US Letter)
- Answer key
- Included
- Best for
- centers, homework, morning work, intervention
Worksheet details
What This Worksheet Practices
Students will read CVC words and fill in the missing short-vowel sound in the middle.
- Hearing the middle (vowel) sound
- Spelling simple CVC words
- Blending consonant-vowel-consonant
Inside This Printable
Student directions: Say each word. Write the missing middle vowel (a, e, i, o, or u) to spell it.
Worked example
c _ t -> the middle sound is /a/ -> cat.
Sample questions
- c _ t (a small pet that says meow)
- p _ g (a farm animal that says oink)
- d _ g (a pet that says woof)
The PDF contains 8 practice questions plus 2 challenge questions.
Worksheet Preview
The first words children read
CVC words — consonant, vowel, consonant, like cat, pig, and sun — are the very first words young readers decode. The trickiest part is the middle vowel sound, so this worksheet zooms in on hearing and spelling it.
The CVC pattern
CVC = Consonant, Vowel, Consonant:
- c-a-t → cat
- p-i-g → pig
- s-u-n → sun
The vowel in the middle is short: a (as in cat), e (pet), i (pig), o (dog), u (sun).
The stretching trick
Say the word very slowly and stretch out the middle sound:
c-AAAA-t → you hear the short a. p-III-g → you hear the short i.
How to solve each item
Have your child say the word slowly, stretching it out, and listen for the sound in the middle. That sound is the vowel for the blank. Watch for close short vowels (e/i) — say them extra clearly.
Guided practice (try before the worksheet)
- b__g (the sound in bug) → u
- c__t (the sound in cat) → a
- p__n (the sound in pen) → e
- d__g (the sound in dog) → o
Why it matters
CVC words are the stepping stone to all of reading. Once children can blend consonant-vowel-consonant, they can decode thousands of words and unlock early books.
Next steps
Builds on beginning sounds and leads to silent e.
👩🏫 Teacher note
CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words like cat and pig are the first words students decode. Stretch the word slowly and listen for the vowel sound in the middle.
🏠 Parent note
Say the word slowly and listen for the middle sound. That sound is the vowel that goes in the blank.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Confusing similar short vowels (e and i, a and u)
- Guessing without sounding out the word
Answer Key
Each answer shows the missing vowel.
⬇ Download Answer Key (PDF)Learn this skill first
Take the free lesson on phonics — worked examples and practice exercises, then come back to this worksheet.
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Beginning Sounds Worksheet
Say each word out loud and write the letter it begins with.
CVC Word Families Worksheet
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Initial Blends Worksheet
A blend is two consonants that slide together, like bl in blue. Choose the blend that starts each word.
Rhyming Words Worksheet
Pick the word that rhymes — the one with the same ending sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this worksheet free to download?
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Does it come with an answer key?
Yes — a complete answer key is included.
Original & reviewed. Every worksheet is created in-house from a grade-level skill brief, checked for a correct answer key, and reviewed for grade-appropriateness. Our editorial policy.