Printable Diphthongs and Variant Vowels Worksheets
Printable diphthongs and variant vowels worksheets for 2nd and 3rd grade, with an answer key on every sheet. The sets below cover 2 different skills, so you can start where your child actually is. Available as fill in the blank and sorting activities.
Targeted Practice by Skill
About Diphthongs and Variant Vowels
What this skill is
Diphthongs and variant vowels cover complex vowel sounds where mouth shape glides (oi/oy in coin/toy, ou/ow in house/cow) and variant vowel patterns (au/aw in fault/saw, oo in book/moon).
When children learn it
Diphthongs and variant vowels are taught in 1st through 3rd grade, aligned to 2.RF.3.N.
Teaching Tips
- Notice mouth shape changes while pronouncing gliding diphthong sounds.
- Remember that oy usually comes at word ends while oi appears inside words.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing ow in cow (diphthong) with ow in snow (long o).
- Misspelling oi at word ends where oy is required.