Learning Worksheets CVC Words Short u
Free printable PDF · ages 4–6
Short u CVC Words Worksheet: -un, -ug, -ut Word Families
Short u is the relaxed “uh” sound at the start of umbrella and up. Sun, bug and bus are cheerful short u words to round off the short vowels.
What’s in the short u PDF
- Page 1: a picture chart of 14 short u words in the -un, -ug and -ut families, with the family ending in colour
- Page 2: fill in the missing vowel under 8 pictures, trace and write 3 words, and circle the word that matches each picture
Prints on A4 or US Letter (choose “Fit to page”).
How to say short u
For short u, relax your face completely and let a small “uh” come out, as if someone has just poked your tummy. The mouth is only slightly open and the tongue stays in the middle.
Short u word families with pictures
-un words
-un words are sunny and easy. Sun, run and fun make a three-word rhyme your child can read in one breath.
☀️ sun · 🍞 bun · 🏃 run · 🎉 fun
-ug words
-ug words end in g. Finish every read of hug with a real hug and this family will stick fast.
🐛 bug · ☕ mug · 🤗 hug · 🫗 jug
-ut words
-ut words end with a quick t. A nut in a hut is a funny picture to draw together.
🥜 nut · 🛖 hut · ✂️ cut
More short u words
🚌 bus · 🛁 tub · 🐻 cub
Game: Bug catcher
Draw ten bugs on paper and write a CVC word on each one, mostly short u words with a few others mixed in. Your child reads each bug and catches the short u ones by colouring them in. How many bugs did they catch?
Tip for parents
Short u and short o can sound alike. If your child reads cut as cot, ask them to relax their mouth for u and make a circle for o.
When short u feels easy, mix all five vowels with the word family charts PDF, or try a few sight words.
Short u questions
Why is short u taught last?
Most programmes teach short a, i and o first because they appear in more early words. Short u is just as easy to say, so many children enjoy it as a confident finish.
Should I teach the u in put and push too?
Not yet. Those words use a different u sound. Stick with the uh sound in sun and bus until short u is secure.
Questions about age, printing or blending? See the CVC words FAQ.
More Free CVC Word Worksheets
Also try: sight word worksheets · alphabet tracing · all free worksheets · bedtime stories