Kindergarten short o word families worksheets
The short-o families on this sheet are -op (hop, top), -ot (hot, pot), and -ock (rock, sock). Kindergartners sort the words by ending and get a vowel that's easy to hear and fun to say.
Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core RF.K.3.
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The kind of words you'll sort
Say each word. Write it under its family.
chopstockdockjotcotshocktrotplopdothopknockcop
Columns: -op and -ot and -ock. "chop" belongs under -op; "dot" belongs under -ot; "stock" belongs under -ock.
Every print pulls a fresh set of word lists at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling never gets the same sheet.
What's on each sheet
- Sorting. Say each word. Write it under its family. 15 words per page.
Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.
How to teach this
Short o is theatrical: open the mouth wide and let the sound drop. These families sort cleanly, so this is a good sheet for building speed and confidence. If knock appears, enjoy the silent k together; one odd letter is a feature, not a problem.
Watch for: Knock keeps a silent k at the front, but its ending still sorts it into the -ock family. The word not is a family word here, nothing more: -ot like hot and pot.
Common questions about short o word families
- Which short-o family is easiest to start with?
- The -op family: hop, top, mop, pop are all words kindergartners can act out, and acting a word out makes it unforgettable. Start there, then add -ot and -ock as the sorting habit settles.
- What about the silent k in knock?
- Treat it as a fun secret rather than an exception to master: the k hides, the ending still says ock, and the word still sorts with rock and sock. Children love being in on a spelling secret.
Related worksheets
- 1st grade short o word families A step harder, same skill
- Kindergarten beginning digraphs (sh, ch, th) Same grade, nearby skill
- Kindergarten counting syllables Same grade, nearby skill
- Kindergarten Dolch pre-primer sight words Same grade, nearby skill
- Short o word families, all grades The full progression
- All kindergarten English worksheets Every skill at this level
- All kindergarten worksheets Everything at this level
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Aligned to Common Core RF.K.3. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 137, updated August 2026.
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