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Read and spell · Free printable

ew and ue: two sounds to compare

Choose a comfortable starting point. Use the activities across several short sessions rather than expecting the whole pack to be completed at once.

Created by RobPublished 4–5 years, flexibly
Take a little peek1 item · Original illustrations
First activity page for ew and ue: two sounds to compare
First activity preview shown. The PDF contains the read and spell layout.

Hear it, read it, try it

Play a sound model, then hear its three example words. Choose a few spellings already taught and revisit them together.

ew · few

few · mew · pew

ew has more than one pronunciation. Use this card’s example words.

ew · chew

chew · grew · drew

ew has more than one pronunciation. Use this card’s example words.

ue · cue

cue · rescue · argue

ue · blue

blue · true · glue

Synthesised British or American pronunciation, selected by the English edition in the header. Accents vary. Follow your school’s sound models and teaching sequence.

What we’re exploring

Read familiar example words, notice their spelling pattern and practise recalling the whole word.

A little way to play

  1. An adult reads any unfamiliar example and checks the sound pattern.
  2. Read each model, cover it, say the sounds and write in the blank space. Uncover and compare.
  3. Use the mixed review on a later day. The answer bank stays on a separate page.
Make it easier

An adult models one example while the child points, talks or directs the activity.

Try a little more

Try a fresh example, explain your choice and return to an earlier page for a fluent reread.

For the grown-up

The printed spelling is not always a complete sound. Different spellings may represent the same sound, and the same spelling can represent different sounds. Choose examples that match what your child has been taught; accept pronunciation differences between accents.

Answers & naming help

ew · few: few, mew, pew; ew · chew: chew, grew, drew; ue · cue: cue, rescue, argue; ue · blue: blue, true, glue

ew and ue: two sounds to compare

How do I print this?

Choose your vocabulary and paper size, then download the PDF. Print at actual size or 100%. Use the low-ink option for outline activities; colour-name cards still need their colour to teach the word. Cut-and-stack mini-books are available in the flashcard maker.

Helpful parent guides

Keep the discoveries going.

More letters & early reading ↗
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