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Sorting Long a Sounds

Sorting Long a Sounds.jpeg

Looking for a fun and effective way to help your students master the long a sound? At Smart Boarding School, we’re excited to share a free phonics worksheet that supports early readers as they explore the different spelling patterns for the long a vowel sound—like in rain, play, cake, and apron.

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Say hello to the “Sorting Long A Words” worksheet! Designed for Grade 1 and Grade 2, this printable activity helps young learners build confidence in identifying, reading, and sorting long a words.

 

What’s Included in the Worksheet?

This engaging, no-prep resource includes:

  • A list of 15 long a words featuring different phonemes.

  • A sorting table where students organise the words by spelling pattern.

Students will sort words into four categories:

  • “a” as in apron

  • “ai” as in rain

  • “ay” as in play

  • “a_e” (split digraph) as in cake

 

Why Teach the Long A Sound?

Understanding that one sound can be spelled in different ways is a key phonics skill. By focusing on the long a sound, students will:

  • Boost their spelling skills by recognising common vowel patterns.

  • Improve reading fluency as they become familiar with long a words.

  • Develop phonemic awareness and decoding strategies.

 

How to Use the Worksheet

Step 1 – Prep: Print the worksheet and give students a pencil, crayon, or highlighter.

Step 2 – Read the Words: Go through the list of words together and highlight the part of the word that makes the long a sound.

Step 3 – Sort the Words: Students place each word into the correct column based on how the long a sound is spelled.

Step 4 – Check and Discuss: Review the answers as a group and talk about how the spelling patterns change.

 

Extension Ideas to Deepen Learning

Make phonics even more meaningful with these optional activities:

  • Sentence Writing: Ask students to write a sentence using one word from each column.

  • Word Hunt: Challenge them to find more long a words around the classroom or in books.

  • Draw and Label: Students can draw a picture for a favourite word and label it.

 

Why Teachers and Parents Love This Worksheet

The “Sorting Long A Words” worksheet is:

  • No prep and ready to use in minutes

  • Perfect for whole-class, small group, or independent work

  • Designed to support visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners

 

Download Your Free Worksheet Now!

Build strong phonics foundations with this fun and interactive long a sorting activity.
Click the button below to download your free worksheet and bring more confidence into your students’ reading and spelling journey.

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At Smart Boarding School, we believe learning to read should be engaging, effective, and free. Let’s make phonics fun!

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