Long U Sound Work

Are you looking for a fun, interactive way to help your Grade 1 and Grade 2 students master the long u sound?
We’re excited to introduce the “Long U Sound Work” worksheet—a two-page free phonics resource designed to support students as they learn different spellings for the long u sound:

• u (as in unicorn)

• ew (as in stew)

• u_e (as in cube)

This engaging activity helps students build confidence in reading, writing, and recognising

long u words in everyday texts.

Why Teach the Long U Sound Spellings?

Teaching the different spellings of the long u sound is important because it:

• Strengthens spelling and decoding skills – Students can better recognise common patterns in words.

• Improves reading fluency – Students can read more quickly and accurately when they know how sounds can be spelled.

• Enhances phonemic awareness – A key building block for strong literacy skills.

What’s Included in the Worksheet?

The “Long U Sound Work” resource includes a variety of activities that keep learning fun and hands-on:

1. Read the Words – Students read a list of long u words with different spellings.

2. Colour the Words – Students colour-code the words based on the phoneme spelling they see.

3. Draw the Words – Students draw simple pictures to show the meaning of selected words.

4. Write Sentences – Students choose a word and write a full sentence to demonstrate their understanding.

5. Shape Sort Activity – Students match words to their corresponding letter shapes, reinforcing word recognition.

How to Use the Worksheet

• Whole-Class Lesson Starter – Read the words aloud together, noticing the spelling patterns.

• Independent Work – Students work through the worksheet activities individually to consolidate their learning.

• Small Group Phonics Sessions – Focus on one phoneme spelling at a time for targeted instruction.

• Homework Practice – Send the worksheet home for extra phonics revision.

Simply print and you're ready to go—no prep needed!

Why You’ll Love It

• Engaging for students – A mix of colouring, drawing, and writing keeps learners excited and involved.

• Multi-sensory learning approach – Supports different learning styles.

• Flexible – Great for classroom use, small groups, interventions, or homeschool activities.

• Free to download – Like all resources from Smart Boarding School, it’s available at no cost!

Download Your Free “Long U Sound Work” Worksheet Today!

Help your students become confident with the long u sound! Click the button below to download the free “Long U Sound Work” worksheet today and make your phonics lessons even more effective and engaging.