Word Ladder: Short U CVC Words

Provide students with engaging word study practice using this short U word ladder worksheet! Geared toward first-grade learners, this worksheet gives students practice with decoding and encoding short U CVC words, such as sun and jug. Learners will start at the bottom of the ladder, changing one letter from each word to create new words as they make their way to the top. The picture clues provide helpful guidance as learners map the words in the boxes and then record the words on the lines.

Word ladders are a wonderful tool to help students understand that words can be changed by adding or deleting letters, which builds a strong foundation of phonemic awareness. For more phonics practice with word ladders, check out the rest of the short vowel CVC word ladder worksheets!