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s Words

s Words.jpeg

Are your Year 1 and Year 2 students learning about the /s/ sound in their phonics lessons? Help them build confidence in spelling and reading with this free /s/ Words worksheet—an easy-to-use resource that explores how this common sound can be represented in multiple ways.

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Designed to make spelling patterns easier to understand, this worksheet supports students as they learn to recognise and sort words using four different graphemes: s, ss, ce, and c.

What’s Included?

The worksheet features a word list arranged in four columns:

  • s – as in sun, sip, sand

  • ss – as in glass, miss, dress

  • ce – as in fence, dance, ice

  • c – as in city, circus, cent

Each column helps students spot patterns and differences in how the /s/ sound is spelled across a variety of familiar words.

 

Why Focus on the /s/ Sound?

The /s/ sound is one of the first sounds young readers and writers learn, but it’s not always spelled the way they expect. By learning the four most common ways to represent /s/, students will:

  • Strengthen their decoding and reading skills

  • Gain spelling confidence through repeated pattern recognition

  • Understand that some letters, like c and e, work together to create the /s/ sound

  • Prepare for more advanced phonics and vocabulary

 

Fun Ways to Use the Worksheet

This resource is ideal for whole-class, small group, or independent activities:

  • Highlight the Grapheme: Ask students to underline or colour the part of each word that makes the /s/ sound.

  • Group Work: Cut out words and let students sort them into grapheme groups collaboratively.

  • Word Hunt: Students search for /s/ words in classroom books and add them to the correct column.

  • Sound It Out: Practice saying the words aloud, focusing on how the /s/ sound is created.

 

Extend the Activity

To extend learning beyond the worksheet, try these ideas:

  • Draw and Match: Students draw a picture to match each word.

  • Create a Word Wall: Display /s/ words under their grapheme headings for easy reference.

  • Write and Spell: Students use one word from each column to write their own sentences.

 

Download Your Free /s/ Words Worksheet

Phonics practice should be simple, structured, and effective. With this free worksheet, you can help students explore the /s/ sound in a variety of spelling patterns. Whether you’re teaching in the classroom or supporting learners at home, this printable resource is a great addition to your phonics toolkit.

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