Phoneme Substitution Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RF.K.2

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Keen learners can often replace sounds or phonemes in a word with another and form a new word. This is one of the most advanced skills in phonological awareness. It can really help students understand the relationship between different words. Students usually have this skill mastered by the second or third year in a formal reading program. If they grasp it well earlier it will only help their ability to read and approach new words. These worksheets help students tackle new words and learn to manipulate phonemes within words.

Phoneme Substitution Worksheets To Print:

Set 1 – Start by working with short vowels. Look at the middle sound of each word. Replace each middle vowel with short vowel.

/z/, /n/, and /b/ – Put it all to work for yourself. Look at the beginning sound of each word. Replace the beginning sound with a given letter.

/u/, /i/, and /e/ – Where does this all come from? More middle sounds are looked at here.

/t/, /l/, and /r/ – Common words for you to work with. We focus on the starting sound and use letters as we see fit.

/ck/, /tch/, and /sh/ – Consonant chunks for you to play with. Look at the ending letter of each word. Replace the ending sound with a set letter blend.

/h/, /m/, and /b/ – Get the front of each word fitted with a killer starting sound.

/g/, /t/, and /p/ – Put a rear bumper on each word. The end of the word is where these are at.

/a/, /e/, and /o/ – Pans, rats, and gas are just the start. You might find some weird words and pictures here.

/p/, /d/, and /f/ – Yes, the same format the worksheet is in. Did you get that one?

/x/, /n/, and /w/ – Look at the ending letter of each word. Replace the ending sound with the letter /x/.

/sh/, /ch/, and /n/ – Piece that all together with these very common consonant blends.

/o/, /a/, and /e/ – More vowels for you to jump with. No need to get all caught up with the colors.

/u/, /a/, and /i/ – The vowels are puzzle pieces to finish up each word.

/p/, /r/, and /s/ – Some of the most commonly used letters will help you end off these words.

/n/ and /g/ – These letters are always chosen on Wheel of Fortune.

How to Encourage Students to Manipulate Phonemes


Helping students to learn how to manipulate sounds is a powerful skill to help them form and learn new words. The first step is to make sure that students can distinctly hear the individual sounds within the words. A good way to do this is to have them clap every time they hear a sound within a word as they say it aloud. The next step is to have students remove and replace sounds within a word to make new words. A great way to do this is have students pick a five letter word at random and then see how many words you can make by removing and replacing one or two letters in any direction.


You can also create new and fun ways to play sound games with students. If you remember the map game you played as a child where you name a city, state, or country and then the next person has to say a city, state, or country based on the last letter of word the first person said. If you can’t find a word in thirty-seconds, you are out. You can play the same game, but with all words in play and students need to choose a word that starts with the ending sound of the first person’s word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Phonemic Substitution Preview