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Uncovering the Schwa Sound!

A Grade 3 ELA worksheet focused on identifying and understanding the schwa sound in words.

Grade 3 ELA GrammarPhonicsSchwa
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Includes

TextMultiple ChoiceFill in the BlanksShort AnswerWord Bank

Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3.DCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3

Topics

ELAGrade 3PhonicsSchwa
7 sections · Free to use · Printable
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Uncovering the Schwa Sound!

Name:

Date:

Score:

Read the instructions carefully for each section and complete all the activities.

What is the Schwa Sound?

The schwa sound is the most common vowel sound in the English language! It sounds like a soft 'uh' or 'ih' and is often found in unstressed syllables of words. It can be represented by any vowel letter (a, e, i, o, u) or even a combination of vowels. Think of the 'a' in 'about' or the 'e' in 'taken'.

The schwa sound is usually written with the symbol /ə/.

1. Which of these words has a schwa sound?

a

cat

b

banana

c

tree

d

sun

2. In the word 'elephant', which vowel makes the schwa sound?

a

e (first 'e')

b

e (second 'e')

c

a

d

all vowels

Underline the letter or letters that make the schwa sound in each word.

1. The 'a' in 'about' makes the   sound.

2. The schwa sound is usually found in   syllables.

3. Any vowel letter can make the   sound.

Read each word aloud. Circle the letter that you think makes the schwa sound.

1. problem

2. celebrate

3. family

4. wagon

Use the words from the word bank to complete the sentences. Each word contains a schwa sound.

animal
pencil
flower
circus

1. My favorite   at the zoo is the lion.

2. I need a   to write my name.

3. The beautiful   smells sweet.

4. We went to the   and saw clowns.