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Long a with Silent e

Long a silent e.jpeg

Teaching split digraphs doesn’t have to be tricky! If your students are learning about the long a sound spelled a_e, this free Long A Silent E worksheet is a perfect way to make the concept both clear and fun. Designed for Year 1 and Year 2 learners, this hands-on activity helps students explore how adding a silent e can completely change a word’s sound—and meaning!

 

What’s the Focus of This Worksheet?

This worksheet zeroes in on the split digraph a_e - a spelling pattern where the vowel a is followed by a consonant and then a silent e. For example, changing the CVC word cap to cape introduces the long a sound. This worksheet walks students through that transformation step-by-step, helping them understand both the phonics rule and how word meanings shift.

 

What’s Inside?

The worksheet is organised into a 5-column table. Here’s how it

works:

1. CVC Word: Students begin with a short vowel word like mad, cap, or tap.

2. Draw a Picture: They draw a picture to show the meaning of the original word.

3. + e: In this column, students see "+ e", prompting them to add a silent e to the end of the word.

4. New Word & Picture: Students write the new word (made, cape, tape) and draw a picture to match its new meaning.

This visual and interactive layout makes the phonics concept stick—and gives students the chance to be creative.

 

Why This Worksheet Works

This activity supports:

  • Phonics skills – Students see how a vowel’s sound changes when a silent e is added

  • Spelling practice – Reinforces the structure of a_e words

  • Vocabulary development – Builds understanding of word meaning and context

  • Creative thinking – Drawing helps students connect meaning to words

  • Comparative learning – Students learn by directly comparing short and long vowel words

It’s a great fit for independent practice, literacy centers, or homework.

 

Perfect for Early Readers

Whether you're a classroom teacher, homeschooler, or literacy tutor, this worksheet is a great resource for children working through the long vowel stages of reading development. It encourages both decoding and comprehension—an essential combination in early literacy.

 

Download the Free Worksheet

Help your students unlock the power of the silent e! Click the button below to download your free Long A Silent E Worksheet, and give your students the chance to discover just how much one little letter can change.

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