Ideal for: classroom warm-ups, take-home practise, homework packets and homeschool curriculum.
Write the Missing Vowels
Identify and write the missing vowels A, E, I, O, U in simple words.
Purpose & benefits
Vowels are the tricky letters. They change sounds depending on the word, and kids need lots of practise hearing them in place.
This worksheet gives Reception and early Grade 1 students simple words with the vowel missing. Students say the word, listen for the middle sound, and fill in the vowel that fits. It is a solid step between beginning sounds and full word decoding. Teachers use it in phonics blocks. Homeschool parents like it for daily reading warm-up.
How to use this worksheet
Ask your child to say each word slowly, stretching out the middle sound. Have them try each vowel in the blank until the word sounds right. If they have trouble hearing short vowel sounds, model the sound first: /a/ as in apple, /e/ as in egg. Practise those five short vowels before moving on to independent work.
💡 Tip: Sit with your child during the first few questions to make sure they understand the instructions, then let them work independently.
You May Also Like
About this worksheet
Cracking the vowel code
Ask any year one teacher what trips kids up most and vowels will be on the list. They are less consistent than consonants, and their short and long sounds can confuse early readers. This missing vowels worksheet gives students focused practise with just that one skill.
Each word on the page needs one vowel filled in. Kids read the word, listen for the middle sound, and choose the right letter. It is simple work, but it builds real phonics skill. Teachers can use it as morning work, in small groups, or during literacy stations. Homeschool families find it a great tool for daily reading practise. Tutors use it as an assessment before moving on to CVC and CVCe word work.
The worksheet aligns with US Common Core standards for reception and year one phonics and UK EYFS and KS1 phonics. Print on standard paper and pair with a phonics sound chart on the wall for extra support. For extra practise, ask students to circle the vowel they wrote and say the sound out loud after each word.