Short A WordsGrade 1 English for Kids
Cat, hat, map! Type words with the short a sound.
Short A Words teaches first graders words with the short a sound, like cat, hat and bag. Kids name pictures, fill in missing letters and fix mixed-up words, practicing phonics and spelling with a read-aloud voice for every word.
- Grade 1 · Ages 6–7
- 4 games
- 30 practice questions
- About 15 min
- Name the Picture
- Hear and Type
- Missing Letter
- Mixed-Up Words
English typing course · Grade 1
Short A Words · Learning goals
What Your Child Will Learn
Learn short a words like cat, hat and bag. Name the pictures, fill in missing letters and fix mixed-up words.
- Name the Picture
- Hear and Type
- Missing Letter
- Mixed-Up Words
Why it matters
Why This Matters for Kids
Decoding words
Short vowel words are the first words kids can sound out on their own, a big moment in learning to read.
Spelling patterns
Seeing many -at, -ap and -ag words helps kids spell new words with the same pattern.
Reading confidence
Early success with simple words makes kids excited to read more.
Inside Short A Words
How the Course Works
Short typing games: kids hear or see each word, type it, and get instant, friendly feedback.
Step 1 · Game
Name the Picture
Look at the picture and type its name. See a picture and type its name. (8 exercises)
Step 2 · Game
Hear and Type
Listen to the word, then type it. Hear a word and type it. (8 exercises)
Step 3 · Game
Missing Letter
One letter is hiding. Listen and type it. Fill in the missing letters. (8 exercises)
Step 4 · Game
Mixed-Up Words
The letters are mixed up! Type the word the right way. Unscramble the letters. (6 exercises)
Word list
Grade 1 Words and Sentences to Type
A sample of what your child hears, reads and types in this course.
- cat(noun)
- hat(noun)
- bat(noun)
- map(noun)
- bag(noun)
- van(noun)
- rat(noun)
- cap(noun)
- man(noun)
- pan(noun)
- ham(noun)
- dad(noun)
- sad(adjective)
For parents
Try It at Home
Learning sticks best when kids use it in real life. Here are simple ideas from this course.
Parent Tip
Make a word family list together: cat, hat, bat, mat, sat. Take turns making up silly sentences using as many short a words as you can.
Short A Words · Questions from parents
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is this course for?
Short A Words is a grade 1 english course for kids ages 6–7. That is Year 2 english in the UK and Year 1 in Australia. It also works well for review in the next grade, or as a challenge for a confident younger learner.
What will my child learn?
Learn short a words like cat, hat and bag. Name the pictures, fill in missing letters and fix mixed-up words. Along the way they practice: Name the Picture; Hear and Type; Missing Letter; Mixed-Up Words.
How long does the course take?
About 15 minutes in total, split into 4 short levels. Most kids finish it over two or three sessions. Progress is saved, so they can stop any time and pick up where they left off.
Is this course free?
Yes. Short A Words is one of the first 2 courses in Grade 1 English. Create a free parent account and your child can start right away.
Does my child need to read well to use it?
No. Every word and sentence is read aloud first, and kids type what they hear. Spelling and reading grow together as they play.
Can we use it for homeschool?
Yes. SkillBloom is built for homeschooling families. Kids work through lessons, games and quizzes on their own, and the parent dashboard shows what they finished and which skills need more practice. It works on phones, tablets and laptops.
Keep learning
More Grade 1 English Courses
- ABC LettersHear a letter and find it on the keyboard.
- Short E and IBed, hen, pig, six! Type short e and short i words.
- Short O and UDog, fox, sun, bus! Type short o and short u words.
- Sight WordsI, we, the, see… words to know by heart.
- Numbers and ColorsType number words and color words.
- Animals and FamilyCow, duck, lion… and mom, dad and baby!
More Grade 1 Subjects
