oi Words

If your Year 1 and Year 2 students are learning to recognise and spell the /oi/ sound, this free printable resource is just what you need. Designed to support early readers and spellers, the /oi/ Words worksheet helps students become familiar with two common graphemes that make the /oi/ sound: oi and oy.

By giving students clear examples of words with the same sound but different spelling patterns, this activity strengthens phonemic awareness and builds foundational literacy skills.

What’s in the Resource?

This phonics worksheet includes two columns of words, each representing a different way to spell the /oi/ sound:

oi – as in boil, coin, point, soil
oy – as in toy, boy, enjoy, annoy

The layout allows students to see the two different graphemes side by side, making it easier to compare and understand how spelling changes depending on the position of the sound in a word.

Why Use This Resource?

This worksheet is a handy tool for helping students:

Recognise the /oi/ sound in words
Learn when to use oi (usually in the middle of a word) and oy (usually at the end of a word)
Improve reading fluency and spelling accuracy
Expand their vocabulary with high-frequency /oi/ words

It’s perfect for phonics instruction, small group work, learning centres, or independent practice.

Ways to Use the Worksheet

There are plenty of flexible and engaging ways to use this printable:

Sound Sorting: Give students a mix of /oi/ words and ask them to sort them into the correct column.
Spelling Practice: Students copy the words and highlight the /oi/ or /oy/ grapheme in each.
Writing Extension: Challenge students to write a sentence using a word from each column.
Visual Word Wall: Display the worksheet on a phonics wall or add it to student folders for easy reference.

Extra Activities to Extend Learning

Take learning even further with these simple ideas:

Find It in a Book: Go on a word hunt and look for more /oi/ words in books, posters, or around the classroom.
Draw and Match: Students draw pictures to match selected words from each column.
Word Detective: Play a guessing game where one student describes a word (e.g., "You play with this. It starts with ‘t’ and has the /oi/ sound.") and the other guesses the correct word.

Download the Free /oi/ Words Worksheet

You can download this /oi/ Words resource for free right now from Smart Boarding School. It’s a valuable addition to any phonics or spelling program and helps students practise a tricky sound in a fun and visual way.

DOWNLOAD