Free Phonics Worksheets

From LoveToKnow Kids

Free phonics worksheets can be an invaluable tool in the quest to teach reading. Printable and reproducible sheets are available from many high quality web sites, and many are completely without charge. Others offer free trials.

Using Free Phonics Worksheets

Although worksheets can be an effective part of a phonics program, they should not be the entire program. Most preschoolers and young children learn best by being immersed in sound and reading. Surround your child with books. Read to her every day. Sing songs, and find letter sounds in everyday life. If you do all of these things, free phonics worksheets can be an enjoyable way for your child to formally practice the skills she's already learning. They can also help get her used to "doing school."

Teachnology

Teachnology is a site geared towards school teachers, but it is equally useful for homeschoolers. The site offers many free worksheets on several subjects. The phonics section is particularly impressive. Free printable worksheets include:

Each free phonic worksheet does include ads and an invitation to upgrade to a paid subscription. However, the ads disappear after you click on "Print this worksheet."

Sesame Workshop

The Sesame Workshop web site, like most offerings from Sesame Street, is geared towards preschoolers, so worksheets are very basic. Still, if you are looking for high-quality coloring pages featuring the letter sounds, this site is great.

While you're visiting the site, be sure to check out the numbers, shapes, and health pages. Sesame Workshop also offers fun games.

Reading Target

Althought the Reading Target web site has a very simple look, the worksheets are full-color. Worksheets are offered on the following basic reading skills:

Beginning consonants
Ending consonants
Long vowels
Short vowels
Consonant blends
Digraphs

For each set of lessons, there is a corresponding test. In addition to the free phonics worksheets, there are also helpful articles on teaching reading, special needs, and learning disabilities.

Phonics World

Phonics World offers a collection of printable free phonics worksheets. For each letter or letter combination presented, there are three activity pages. Reinforced skills include:

Short vowels
Long vowels
Consonant blends
Beginning sounds
Vowels + "R"

Although the site professes to be intended for first grade through sixth grade, many of the activities are also appropriate for preschoolers and kindergarteners.

Home Education Resources

Home Education Resources offers colorful worksheets emphasizing basic phonics skills. Current offerings include only vowel practice in one syllable words, but the site promises more extensive worksheets to come. You will need a free, downloadable copy of Adobe Reader to view and print the files.

Not-Quite-Free Phonics Worksheets

Ed Helper is not free, but the worksheets and activities offered are top quality. The site features a worksheet generator that allows users to specify the skills to emphasize. The site also offers printable phonics-based booklets for reading practice. A basic subscription to Ed Helper costs $19.99.