Course lists
Main Course
Unit 06. Short vowels e.g. e or ea? o or u?
Study the word list: Short a words Study
Learn using Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check: Short a words Learn
Spelling Games: Short a words Games
Listen and Spell test: Short a words Test
Printable worksheets and activities: Short a words Print
Handwriting worksheets: Short a words Write

Games: Short a words

Learn to spell the word list: Short a words using the spelling games on this page.

Word list description

The short /a/ sound is pronounced like the a in cat or hat. This sound can be found in many common words, making it a key building block for reading and spelling. Recognising and practising short a words helps improve your vocabulary and enhances your understanding of how words are formed.

Some examples of short a words include bat, man, pan, and sad. Each of these words features the short /a/ sound at its core. When you say these words, pay attention to how your mouth moves. Notice how your mouth opens slightly, creating that distinctive short /a/ sound. You can practise saying these words out loud, focusing on enunciating the a clearly.

Learning short a words is important because they appear frequently in both spoken and written English. By becoming familiar with this sound, you’ll be more confident as a reader and writer.

Spelling games

Free games

Autumn AnagramAutumn Anagram
A spelling game for Autumn!

Egg hunt spelling gameEgg Hunt
 Crack the eggs!

Word search Word Search, small
The classic English word game.
Print version

Against the clock Against the Clock
Spelling 'against the clock'.

Mayan Temple spelling gameMayan Temple
Try the temple spelling puzzle.

Monkey Business spelling gameMonkey Business
It's bananas!


Pattern recognition games Pattern recognition games are anagram based games designed to help identify and memorise the sequence of letters within a word.

Fishy Business spelling gameFishy Business
A fishy game that bites!

Rain spelling gameRain Drops
A spelling game for a rainy day.

Chick spelling gameEgg Hunt
Crack the eggs!

Asteroids spelling gameAsteroids
Out of this world spelling game!

Bouncing Anagram spelling gameBouncing Anagram
A lively anagram spelling game.

Bouncing Anagram Extreme spelling gameBouncing Anagram Extreme
An extreme anagram game!

Problem solving games Problem solving games help with word and letter pattern recognition and proofreading skills.

Wild West spelling gameWild West
Get off your horse and spell.

Which Witch spelling gameWhich Witch
Hangman with a twist.

Word search Word Search, medium
The classic English word game.
Print version

Word search Word Search, large
The classic English word game.
Print version

CodebreakerCodebreaker
Decode the enemy message.

Voice and vocabulary games Voice and vocabulary games help to strengthen the important link between the way words are spoken and written and introduce or reinforce vocabulary.

Bugs spelling gameSticky Bugs
Catch bugs to spell the words.

Spelling Bee spelling game Spelling Bee
A 'Spelling Bee' style game.

Cool Spelling game Cool Spelling
Chill Out!

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This word list was created by Spellzone. View more Spellzone course lists or curriculum word lists.

Learn more in Unit 6. Short vowels e.g. e or ea? o or u?

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