Short O and UGrade 1 English for Kids
Dog, fox, sun, bus! Type short o and short u words.
Short O and U teaches first graders words with the short o sound (dog, box, fox) and the short u sound (sun, bus, cup). Kids name pictures, fix mixed-up words and listen carefully, finishing all five short vowels.
- Grade 1 · Ages 6–7
- 4 games
- 32 practice questions
- About 20 min
- Short O Pictures
- Short U Pictures
- Mixed-Up Words
- Hear and Type
English typing course · Grade 1
Short O and U · Learning goals
What Your Child Will Learn
Learn words with the short o sound (dog, box, fox) and the short u sound (sun, bus, cup). Name pictures, fix mixed-up words and listen.
- Short O Pictures
- Short U Pictures
- Mixed-Up Words
- Hear and Type
Why it matters
Why This Matters for Kids
All five short vowels
Mastering short o and u completes the short vowels, so kids can sound out most simple three-letter words.
Phonemic awareness
Hearing each sound in a word is a core skill behind both reading and spelling.
Ready for longer words
Short vowels are the base for blends, digraphs and magic e words in grade 2.
Inside Short O and U
How the Course Works
Short typing games: kids hear or see each word, type it, and get instant, friendly feedback.
Step 1 · Game
Short O Pictures
Name each picture. Listen for the short o sound! See a picture and type its name. (8 exercises)
Step 2 · Game
Short U Pictures
Name each picture. Listen for the short u sound! See a picture and type its name. (8 exercises)
Step 3 · Game
Mixed-Up Words
Put the letters in the right order. Unscramble the letters. (8 exercises)
Step 4 · Game
Hear and Type
Listen to the word, then type it. Hear a word and type it. (8 exercises)
Word list
Grade 1 Words and Sentences to Type
A sample of what your child hears, reads and types in this course.
- dog(noun)
- box(noun)
- fox(noun)
- pot(noun)
- log(noun)
- sock(noun)
- frog(noun)
- clock(noun)
- sun(noun)
- bus(noun)
- cup(noun)
- bug(noun)
- nut(noun)
- duck(noun)
- drum(noun)
- plug(noun)
- hot(adjective)
- run(verb)
- mud(noun)
- not(sight word)
- on(sight word)
- up(sight word)
- fun(adjective)
- hug(verb)
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
Go on a short o and u hunt at home: box, sock, cup, rug, mop. Your child says each word slowly and spells it out loud.
Short O and U · Questions from parents
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is this course for?
Short O and U 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 words with the short o sound (dog, box, fox) and the short u sound (sun, bus, cup). Name pictures, fix mixed-up words and listen. Along the way they practice: Short O Pictures; Short U Pictures; Mixed-Up Words; Hear and Type.
How long does the course take?
About 20 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?
Short O and U is part of SkillBloom Premium, which unlocks every course in every subject. Each subject also has free courses, so your child can try SkillBloom before you decide.
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 A WordsCat, hat, map! Type words with the short a sound.
- Short E and IBed, hen, pig, six! Type short e and short i 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!
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