75+ Silent E Words List & Picture Match Worksheets
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This exhaustive free printable list of Silent E words comes with seven picture matching worksheets for targeted individual or group practice. All the words follow the VCe pattern (Vowel-Consonant-e) and are sorted according to vowel, allowing for reading and dictation practice.
Matching pictures are included to help support readers as they begin to understand the important job of the Silent e!
What’s a VCe Word?
VCe stands for Vowel-Consonant-e, so these are words that follow this specific pattern at the end of the word. They can also be called magic e, silent e, or bossy e.
They contain long vowel sounds that students should learn to recognize as being caused by the e.
Students should practice explicitly noticing patterns in these words, so they can practice marking and labeling VCe words, or matching them as they do here!
Educational Focus: The Silent e word list and worksheets are excellent to use with kids in 1st through 3rd grade!
Teaching VCe Words
After children have a solid grasp on CVC words and short vowels, they are ready to learn about long vowels.
And students should know what long vowels are. So I recommend practicing and repeating this jingle, tapping each word on the table as we say, “Long Vowels Say Their Name.”
The first pattern I introduce for long vowels is the VCe pattern, since this is the most prevalent.
I usually introduce this concept using the word “like” since this is a high frequency sight word that my students already know.
By finger tapping each sound, I show my students how the “i” doesn’t say /ĭ/. Instead, it says its name: /ī/. As I continue finger tapping, I show that the /k/ is the last sound I hear.
How strange that I don’t hear any sound when I get to the letter ‘e.’ Why is that? And that’s when I teach about the very important job of the Silent e!
Word List
The first sheet included in this bundle is a comprehensive list offers 75 VCe words, organized by vowel. Included next to each word is a corresponding picture. You can use this list in a variety of ways:
- Anchor Chart
Print a large copy and use as an anchor chart in your classroom. Hang it on your sound wall for further reinforcement. - Reading Fluency
Print individual copies for students to glue into their notebooks. Students can practice reading fluency by reading the words down the columns, making sure they hear the long vowel sound in each word. For example, if they’re reading down the /ō/ column, they should clearly hear an /ō/ in every word they say. Self-monitoring is important here because kids must ensure they’re matching the words they say with the pictures they see. - Dictation
Teachers can use as a quick resource for word dictation practice. The teacher calls out a word and students write the word in notebooks or on whiteboards. You can easily check to see if the concept is transferring to spelling. - Vocabulary
Students may not know all of the words included in these resources, and that’s okay! We always want to connect words with meaning. Once they know the VCe rule, children can be confident that they’re reading the words correctly. For example, when they know the rule: o consonant e says /ō/, then they can be sure they’re pronouncing the word ‘woke’ correctly when they read it. However, they may not know the meaning of the word. The pictures help with that!
Picture Match (7 Pages)
The seven worksheets include words and pictures and are organized by vowels, with one worksheet focused on each of the five vowels for focused instruction.
I usually introduce the concept of VCe with all vowels at once, and then spend a few days practicing each long vowel individually. These worksheets are perfect for that!
Then, there are two worksheets that include all vowels for mixed practice.
👉 Many of the words included in these resources include consonant blends. Be sure you have taught consonant blends before using this resource.
👉 All words are one-syllable words, except for a few words listed in the /ē/ column. This is because there are very few one syllable words in English that follow this pattern.
I still like to briefly introduce this rule to my students and provide a few examples that follow this pattern. That’s why I included some two syllable words in this section.
Your students may need some additional assistance reading these more complex words, especially if you haven’t taught syllable types and syllable division yet.
For Magic e orthographic mapping practice, get our printable Sound Boxes (Elkonin boxes) and letters… with an extra special magic e!
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I’m so grateful for having found your page, these wonderful articles and worksheets are a helpful tool for me and my students. Thanks a lot!
Hi Nency,
We are so happy to hear you’re utilizing the resources we offer. You made our day!
Katie and Laura
Thank you so much for your excellent resources – they are such a great support for helping students learn to read.
Hi Yvonne,
We are so pleased to hear you are using our resources. It is awesome to know that they’re helping your students as they learn to read! YAY!
-Katie and Laura
so grateful for your work! It all SO good!
Anna,
You don’t know how much your kind words mean to us. We will keep doing what we’re doing…it’s all about the kids and supporting wonderful teachers like you!
Katie and Laura
Hello Katie and Laura!
Many thanks for creating these amazing resources!!! I love the visuals! Majority of my students are learning English and visuals is a must for any kids specially when learning a new language. These will definitely help their parents understand the language too!
Hi Valentine, Thank you so much for the kind words. We’re absolutely thrilled to hear your students and their parents will benefit from the resources!! 🙂 -Kate & Laura