6. Student Practice Activities for Schwa

Students need lots of opportunities to practice reading words with schwa so that they can build accuracy and automaticity on their way to fluent reading. We've included free printable student practice activities below. Please download and share them with your colleagues!  

Before your students begin the activities, make sure that they understand how to complete them. You can model the activities in a whole group setting or in a small group. 

Then they'll be ready to work on the activities independently ... at their seat, at a center, or in a small group. Keep an eye out for students who may need you to step in and scaffold. It's best to have a recording sheet or something that students will turn in so that you can ensure they are completing the activity correctly. Some may need quick, explicit, positive corrections. Others may need additional instruction in this area.

Read Sheets

Use these read sheets to practice the new phonics pattern you've taught. You'll want to first introduce these sheets in whole or small groups. After students have read them with guidance from the teacher, they can use them to practice reading independently at school or home.

Schwa: Student Read Sheet with Words, Phrases, and Sentences

Words with Schwa (Second Syllable): Read Sheet with Words

Words with Schwa ('a'): Student Read Sheet with Words

Decodable Texts for Building Fluency

Students should practice reading in context each day to build fluency. These decodable texts focus on schwa. Be sure to read How to Use Decodable Texts before implementing them with students.

Decodable — The Tennis Match

Decodable — The Red Robin Rocket

Decodable — The Man with the Velvet Hat

More Student Practice

• Roll, Write, and Read with Schwa (opens in new window)
• Spin, Name, and Spell with Schwa (opens in new window)
• Break the Code with Schwa (opens in new window)