Zen the Hen CVC Word Worksheet for Early Readers
This worksheet uses a short story about 'Zen the Hen' to give children ages 3-5 practice reading and completing CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words, one of the earliest and most important word patterns in learning to read. Filling in missing CVC words within a story context, rather than in isolation, helps children see how decoding skills apply to real reading, building both phonics and comprehension together.
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Month 11: Learning & Development | Ages 4-5
This is page 14 of the pack. Ages 4-5 · Pre-KAges 4-5 · ReceptionAges 4-5 · LKGAges 4-5
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- Topic:
- CVC Words
- Skill:
- CVC Short E Families (Phonics - CVC Words): CVC word families with short e: -en, -et.
- Pack:
- Page 14 of 28 in Month 11: Learning & Development | Ages 4-5.
How to use this worksheet
Read the story about Zen the Hen aloud together, pausing at each blank space where a word is missing. Sound out the missing CVC word together, blending each letter sound smoothly, and have your child write it in the blank. Once the story is complete, read it aloud together from start to finish, then have your child match the CVC words to their matching pictures and color them in. Reread the finished story once more, this time letting your child read as many words independently as they can.
Materials needed
- Pencil
- Crayons
Extension activities
- 1Create new CVC word sentences using rhyming words from the story, like changing 'hen' to 'pen' or 'ten.'
- 2Draw a picture to go along with one sentence from the story.
- 3Search the house for objects whose names are CVC words, like 'cup,' 'bag,' or 'sun.'
- 4Build CVC words using magnetic letters or letter tiles, changing one letter at a time.
Written by
Hemsweta Jain · Teacher Cheena
MBA and Early Childhood Educator, teaching since 2014 · Founder of RaisoActive, Mumbai
Every RaisoActive worksheet is designed and checked by the founder before publishing.
Published · Last reviewed
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Guides for this topic
How to Teach CVC Blending: A Step-by-Step Method That Works in Two Weeks
A step-by-step method for teaching CVC blending, covering continuous sounds, word families, common errors, and a 14-day plan that most children finish reading CVC words.
Phase 2 Phonics at Home: Sound Order, Blending Games, Worksheets
Phase 2 phonics at home: the five sound sets in order, oral blending, tricky words, a two-week routine, common mistakes, and free worksheets.
Reception Year Explained: EYFS Learning and How to Help at Home
A teacher's plain-English guide to the Reception Year: the seven areas of learning, Early Learning Goals, Phase 2/3 phonics, the RBA and home routines.
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