CVC Words: Lists and Tracing Worksheets
Consonant-vowel-consonant words grouped by short vowel, with a tracing worksheet for each group.
Page 1 of 5 shown
Print at “Actual size” for the exact line height. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
CVC word lists
Short a
Short e
Short i
Short o
Short u
How to use CVC word worksheets
- Pick a vowel Practise one short vowel at a time, or choose mixed review.
- Sound it out Say each sound in the word, then blend them: /c/ /a/ /t/, cat.
- Trace Trace the word while saying the sounds.
- Write and read Write the word alone and read it back.
What are CVC words?
CVC words have three sounds: a consonant, a short vowel and another consonant, like c-a-t or p-i-g. They are usually the first words children learn to decode, because each letter makes its most common sound and there are no silent letters.
Teaching order
Many phonics programs start with short a, then i, o, u and finally e, which is the hardest to hear. Words that start with continuous sounds such as m, s and f (mat, sat, fan) are easier to blend than words starting with stop sounds like b, c and t.
Activities
- Word families: change only the first letter: cat, bat, hat, mat, rat, sat.
- Sound boxes: draw three boxes and write one sound in each.
- Read, trace, write: read the word, trace it on the worksheet, then write it on an empty line.
Guides
Frequently asked questions
What is a CVC word?
A three-letter word made of a consonant, a short vowel and a consonant, such as cat, bed, pig, dog or bug.
Which short vowel should I teach first?
Short a is the most common starting point, followed by i, o, u and e.
At what age do children read CVC words?
Most children start blending CVC words in kindergarten, around age 5, once they know letter sounds.
Sight words 
Word tracing 
Letter tracing 
Name tracing