Looking for a set of ay and ai worksheets to review these common spelling patterns? Look no further!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
One of my goals for this site is to offer you a huge variety of free, printable resources for all the common vowel patterns that children encounter as they read. You can check our progress on our phonics activities page.
Today I’m adding to our collection of long a printables with this set of worksheets.
Printable ay & ai worksheets
I strongly encourage you to choose just the worksheets that fit the needs and interests of your child. Remember that you’re not teaching the phonics pattern with these pages; you’re checking to see that your child understands it. You don’t need nine worksheets to do that!
However, I’ll let you know that this cut-and-sort page is never optional for my kiddo because it’s so important that kids can hear the different sounds in words.
This time my Six had to listen for the long a sound. If it was at the end of a word, he glued the picture in the “ay” column. If he heard long a in the middle of a word, he glued the picture in the “ai” column.
If you’re a classroom teacher, there’s no law that says everyone has to do the same worksheets! You might print a variety and let your students choose 2-3 to do.
I’m guessing a lot of students would choose this quick one – it’s a simple matching worksheet.
For this page, my Six identified the correct spelling of each picture’s name.
He enjoyed using our alphabet stamps to complete this page.
By the way, I should point out that we don’t normally do worksheets with gel pens. But my Six had just bought this set of pens with his Christmas money, and he was anxious to use them. 😉
This word search is a good example of an optional worksheet. I never recommend word searches unless kids enjoy them and do them without a lot of frustration. Otherwise, they’re a slow form of torture. (Not to mention a huge time-waster.)
This is the first time my Six volunteered to do the word search in one of our packs.
By this point my Six had been working for a good thirty minutes. After drawing a few pictures, he asked if he could go play. I certainly had enough evidence that he could read and spell words with the ai or ay pattern.
So off he went!
We hope your learners enjoy these!
Psst… want even more phonics worksheets?
Get more free printables!
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© 2017 – 2018, Anna G. All rights reserved.
Kate says
Wow! I taught ai and ay to my child in homeschool just last week. Perfect timing for some reinforcement!
Anna Geiger says
Wow, he’s doing great! Glad we got them made in time!
Kate says
Just noticed that the cut & paste page shows “tree” instead of “nail”.
Anna Geiger says
Thanks, Kate! Fixed it.
Crystal says
I just had a meeting with the Special Education Instructor. Looking at my sons recent work made me realize we needed to recap /ay/ and /ee/. I’ve always loved your resources and this one was a great reminder of why I stopped by so often. Thank you again, Anna.
Anna Geiger says
Yay – so glad you can use these, Crystal!
Faye Fulton says
As I told you in a previous message I am a volunteer tutor to two adult literacy students. I have found so many helpful worksheets that I have a hard time choosing which ones to use. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I meet with each student once a week and I just found out that one is dyslexic and tested on low 2nd grade level.
Anna Geiger says
Thank you for all the dedication you show to your adult learners, Faye! I hope you find many helpful resources here.
Hope says
Thank you so much for this resource! I am so excited to use this in my stations!
Anna G says
You’re very welcome, Hope!
Nicole says
A huge shout out to you for creating these amazing resources. I teach first grade and my kids love all the activities I print from your website. Thank you so much for offering these free to teachers 🙂
Anna G says
You’re very welcome, Nicole!
Heather says
Love this resource, Anna! Thank you so much!!!! Love the bubble fill spelling options, too. It really makes my student think of why he is using the various spelling patterns.
Anna G says
You’re welcome, Heather!
Jean Konkle says
I work as a volunteer. I am a retired reading intervention and early primary teacher. I didn’t usually use worksheets in the classroom, nor do I now, but I am grateful for the pages I found here that will work for me with one struggling student. Sometimes a worksheet is just the right thing, and I am glad I found yours. Thank you.
Anna G says
You’re very welcome, Jean!
Melissa says
I am so glad that I found your website. Your material has been, and will continue to be a tremendous help as I homeschool my kiddos. Thank you for not just making the materials available but sharing your experience. Your website has been a blessing!
Anna G says
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Melissa!