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Phonics Worksheets for 2nd Graders

6 strands6 ready to print449 worksheetsUS Letter or A4

Vowel teams, r-controlled vowels, diphthongs, prefixes and suffixes, syllables, contractions and compound words, plus 30 weekly spelling lists, sight words and vocabulary.

The phonics year, in order

From vowel teams to prefixes and suffixes, in the order most 2nd grade classrooms teach phonics, with spelling, sight words and vocabulary alongside. Each strand links to its worksheets.

  1. Vowel teams and diphthongs

    33 sheets ready

    Long vowel teams (ai, ay, eigh, ee, ea, ey, igh, ie, oa, ow, ue, ew) and the diphthongs ou, ow, oi, oy, au and aw.

    Vowel teams

    A vowel teams chart and word list with sorts, fill-ins, matching, sentences and a story for ai, ay, ee, ea, oa, ow, igh, oo, ou, oi and oy.

    22 worksheets

    Diphthongs: ou, ow, oi, oy, au, aw

    A diphthongs chart and word list, sorts for ou and ow, oi and oy, au and aw, an ow snow-or-cow sort, pick-the-spelling, matching, sentences and a story.

    11 worksheets

  2. R-controlled vowels

    20 sheets ready

    Vowels changed by r in one- and two-syllable words: ar, or, ore, oar, er, ir, ur, air, are, ear and eer.

    R-controlled vowels

    A chart and word list for ar, or, er, ir and ur, with sorts, fill-ins, a which-spelling page, matching, sentences and a short story.

    20 worksheets

  3. Word parts

    64 sheets ready

    Reading longer words by their parts: prefixes and suffixes, syllables, compound words and contractions.

    Prefixes and suffixes

    Charts, a word list, add-a-prefix and add-a-suffix pages, find the base word, meaning matches, sorts, cut and paste with a no-cut twin, and sentences.

    13 worksheets

    Syllables

    Clap, count, sort and blend syllables with picture worksheets, from one-clap words like cat to four-clap words like watermelon, plus a syllable word list.

    24 worksheets

    Compound words

    A compound words list for kids, a picture chart, and worksheets where children put two words together (sun + flower = sunflower), match halves, split and write compound words.

    16 worksheets

    Contractions

    A contractions chart with matching, write the contraction, write the two words, cut and paste with a no-cut twin, sentences and a sort.

    11 worksheets

  4. Spelling

    246 sheets ready

    30 weekly lists by pattern with a printable list, rainbow write, sorts, missing letters, ABC order, sentences and a test each week, plus spelling bee words.

    Spelling words for 2nd graders

    30 weekly 2nd grade spelling lists organized by pattern, each with a printable list, six practice pages, a test and a weekly packet, plus a master list and spelling bee words.

    246 worksheets

  5. Sight words

    73 sheets ready

    50 2nd grade high frequency words with a list, flash cards, a practice page for each word, and sentences, phrases and stories.

    Sight words for 2nd graders

    50 2nd grade sight words in five sets of ten, with a list, flash cards, a tracker, a practice page for every word, and sentences, phrases and stories for each set.

    73 worksheets

  6. Vocabulary

    13 sheets ready

    40 useful 2nd grade words with meanings, plus shades of meaning, multiple-meaning words and a word map.

    Vocabulary words for 2nd graders

    40 2nd grade vocabulary words in four sets with kid-friendly meanings, word cards, match-the-meaning and sentence pages, plus shades of meaning, multiple-meaning words and a word map.

    13 worksheets

About phonics worksheets for 2nd graders

In 2nd grade, phonics moves from short words to long ones. Children learn the rest of the vowel teams (rain, beach, night, snow), the sliding sounds ou, ow, oi, oy, au and aw (house, coin, draw), more r-controlled vowels (storm, nurse, chair), and how to read longer words by breaking them into syllables and spotting prefixes and suffixes (un-help-ful).

These phonics worksheets for 2nd graders follow that order. Each skill has a chart and a word list, then sorts, pick-the-spelling pages, matching, sentences and a short story, so children move from noticing a pattern to reading it in real text. The 30 weekly spelling lists practice the same patterns week by week, the 50 sight words cover common words that don't follow the rules, and the vocabulary pages build word meaning.

Writing lines are 2nd grade size, directions are short enough for children to read on their own, and every page prints in black and white on US Letter or A4. Pages with right answers have an answer key on page 2, and each cut and paste page has a no-cut twin.

Questions

What phonics skills are taught in 2nd grade?

2nd graders learn the remaining vowel teams, the diphthongs ou, ow, oi, oy, au and aw, more r-controlled vowels, how to read two-syllable words with long vowels, and words with common prefixes and suffixes. They also learn to read irregular words like though, through and enough.

In what order should I teach 2nd grade phonics?

A common order is a quick review of short vowels and silent e, then vowel teams, oo and the diphthongs, r-controlled vowels, soft c and g and silent letters, and finally word parts: endings, prefixes, suffixes, compound words and contractions. The spelling lists follow the same order.

What is the difference between vowel teams and diphthongs?

A vowel team is any group of letters that spells one vowel sound. Some teams spell a long vowel (ai in rain); others spell a diphthong, a sound that slides as you say it (oi in coin, ow in cow).

My child struggles with 2nd grade phonics. Where should I start?

Check the 1st grade skills first: short vowels, blends, silent e and the first vowel teams. If those are solid, start with the vowel teams chart and the matching spelling weeks, and go slowly through one pattern at a time.

Are these phonics worksheets free?

Yes. Every worksheet is a free PDF with no sign-up, ready to print at home or school.