Ck Digraph Worksheet: The ck Sound (Free Printable PDF)

What’s in the PDF

• Page 1: trace ck and the words duck, sock and rock; circle the pictures with the ck sound; then write ck or k to finish six picture words.
• Page 2: sort eight words into ck and k boxes; read three sentences and circle the ck words; then write a ck word for three pictures.
• Page 3: an answer key with every picture name.

Read the instructions aloud for children who are still learning to read. Say each picture name together first.

What is the ck digraph?

The ck digraph spells the /k/ sound. You will not find it at the start of English words, only at the end or in the middle, as in duck, back and pocket. The rule of thumb: use ck straight after a short vowel (sock, duck, kick). After a consonant or a long vowel, use k (milk, book, cake).

How to say the ck sound

It is the same /k/ sound as the c in cat: the back of the tongue touches the roof of the mouth and releases a puff. The two letters do not make two sounds; they share one.

Examples

• Short a and e: back, sack, black, neck, deck, peck
• Short i, o and u: kick, sick, lock, rock, duck, truck
• In the middle: pocket, rocket, chicken, jacket, bucket

How to teach it

Say a few ck words and listen to the end: du-ck, so-ck. Point out that the vowel just before ck is short and snappy. Then try the ck or k activity: duck and sock need ck, while book, fork and milk use just k. Clap the short vowel words together, then sort the words on page 2 into the right boxes.

Common mix-ups

Children may write just c or just k at the end of words (“duk” or “duc”). Remind them that after a short vowel, c and k work together. The worksheet’s ck or k activity is designed to practise exactly this choice.

Game: Knock knock ck

Say “knock knock”. Your child says “who’s there?” and you answer with a word. If it ends in ck (duck, rock, sock), they open the pretend door and let it in. If it ends in k (book, milk), they keep the door shut.

Questions to ask

• Is the vowel before the end short or long?
• Does this word need ck or just k?
• Can you think of a ck word that is an animal?

Practise next

Try ch digraph, sh digraph, L blends. Review the letter c sound and the letter k sound. Reading CVC words confidently first? See our CVC word worksheets.