What is a decodable passage?

A story where every word uses sounds the reader has been taught. Here that means CVC words, a few short words like in and up, and 28 sight words from the Dolch pre-primer and primer lists.

Why does each story use only one short vowel?

So a child can practise one vowel sound over and over in real sentences. The short a, e, i, o and u pages each print their own vowel's stories; this page mixes all five.

How should a first grader use the sheet?

Read the story twice, once to sound it out and once smoothly. Then answer each question by finding the sentence in the story and writing the word on the line.

Are the stories the same every time?

Each print picks one of the stories for this grade, and the word choices come in a new order. A second print can land on a story you have used, so check the title.

1st grade CVC reading passages

1st grade CVC reading passages worksheets

First grade CVC reading passages: a decodable story of 45 to 75 words where every word sounds out or is a common sight word. Each story keeps to one short vowel, so a short a story is full of cat, map and van. Four questions follow, each answered by writing a word from the story.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core RF.1.3.b, RF.1.4.a.

Each click picks one of the 70 stories written for this page. Every sheet comes with its answer key. You don't need to sign up.

One page for every short vowel

Each short vowel has its own page of stories, so a child can stay on one sound for a week before mixing them.

The kind of passages you'll get

Read the story. Then read each question and the three words under it. Write the word that answers the question on the line.

It Is Fun!

Gus is in the sun. Gus runs to Bud with a mug. "Here is a mug for you, Bud!" said Gus. On the mug is a bug! "A bug mug! It is fun!" said Bud. Bud hugs Gus. Gus and Bud have nuts in the…

Who runs to Bud? Gus · Bud · pup
Answer: Gus
What is for Bud? mug · sun · rug

Each print picks one of the 70 stories written for this page, and its questions come with it. With 70 to pick from, a second print can land on one you've used, so check the title before you hand it out.

What's on a 1st grade sheet

1st grade sheets draw from 70 stories, 46 to 69 words long. None of these stories are on kindergarten sheets. On kindergarten sheets they run 33 to 45 words.

Some of the titles: Look, Cal!, You Are Fed!, Peg at the Vet, Ten Pegs, Sit, Pip, Sit!, No, Pup!.

Read and write. Read the story. Then read each question and the three words under it. Write the word that answers the question on the line. One story per sheet, with four questions to answer in writing.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Start with a quick warm-up: say three words from the story with the page's short vowel and have your child tap each sound. Then read the story aloud, finger under each word. A second read should sound like talking, not like a list. For the questions, ask your child to find the sentence that proves the answer before writing the word. The vowel pages let you stay on one vowel for a week, then mix them on the main page.

Watch for: Guessing a word from its first letter. Cat, cap and can all start with c, so the child has to read to the end of the word. Copying the first word in the row of choices. Read all three, then go back to the story to check. Mixing up short vowels, especially e and i. Say the word slowly and listen to the middle sound.

Common questions about 1st grade CVC reading passages

What is a decodable passage?: A story where every word uses sounds the reader has been taught. Here that means CVC words, a few short words like in and up, and 28 sight words from the Dolch pre-primer and primer lists.
Why does each story use only one short vowel?: So a child can practise one vowel sound over and over in real sentences. The short a, e, i, o and u pages each print their own vowel's stories; this page mixes all five.
How should a first grader use the sheet?: Read the story twice, once to sound it out and once smoothly. Then answer each question by finding the sentence in the story and writing the word on the line.
Are the stories the same every time?: Each print picks one of the stories for this grade, and the word choices come in a new order. A second print can land on a story you have used, so check the title.

Related worksheets

Ready to print one?

Want a different story? Print again. Each print picks one of the 70.

Aligned to Common Core RF.1.3.b, RF.1.4.a. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated October 2026.

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