Long u Words
Learning the different ways to spell the long u sound is a key part of any early phonics program. That’s why we’ve created a free and easy-to-use Long u Words printable—perfect for Year 1 and Year 2 students working on mastering long vowel patterns in their reading and spelling.
This resource helps young learners become familiar with the three most common ways of spelling the long u sound: u, ew, and u_e. With this tool, students can build confidence in recognising, reading, and
using these patterns in everyday writing.
What’s Included?
The worksheet presents a neatly organised word list sorted into three columns:
-
u – as in unicorn and unit
-
ew – as in stew and chew
-
u_e – as in cube and tune
The layout allows students to clearly see how the same sound can be represented by different graphemes, building both phonemic awareness and visual memory of word patterns.
Why Use This Resource?
This worksheet supports both reading and spelling instruction by:
-
Providing a strong visual reference of long u spelling patterns
-
Helping students sort and group words by sound and spelling
-
Reinforcing common phonics patterns through repetition
-
Giving students examples they can use in writing tasks
It’s ideal for whole-class lessons, literacy groups, one-on-one support, or even as homework.
Ways to Use the Worksheet
There are many ways to make the most of this printable in your classroom or homeschool routine:
-
Word Sorting: Cut out extra words and have students match them to the correct column.
-
Highlighting Practice: Ask students to colour or underline the long u grapheme in each word.
-
Writing Challenge: Students write a silly story using one word from each column.
-
Partner Reading: In pairs, students take turns reading words from each column aloud.
This makes for a great anchor chart or ongoing reference sheet students can keep in their folders or literacy books.
Extend the Activity
Once students are familiar with the long u graphemes, you can extend the learning even further:
-
Word Hunt: Search for long u words in books or around the room and add them to the list.
-
Phonics Puzzles: Cut apart words and mix up the graphemes—can students rebuild them correctly?
-
Memory Game: Create cards using the word list and play a memory matching game using words with the same grapheme.
Download the Free Long u Words Resource
This Long u Words worksheet is available now as a free download from Smart Boarding School. It’s a great addition to your phonics and literacy toolkit—helping students feel successful as they learn to read and write with accuracy and confidence.
