Vowel sounds: u (preK, kindergarten, 1st grade) | 1st grade ... - Free Printable

Let's solve the problem step by step based on the image you described.

---

Task Overview:

The worksheet is focused on the vowel sound "u" (as in "cup", "mug", "sun"). The goal is to:

1. Draw lines connecting pictures that have the same vowel sound "u" in the middle.
2. Fill in the missing letter in each word so that it matches the picture and has the "u" sound.

---

Step 1: Identify the Pictures with the "u" Sound

Look at the top section of the worksheet. There are six pictures:

1. Hat – sounds like "hat" → a sound, not "u"
2. Rug – sounds like "rug" → u sound ✔
3. Mug – sounds like "mug" → u sound ✔
4. Cat – sounds like "cat" → a sound ✘
5. Dog – sounds like "dog" → o sound ✘
6. Cup – sounds like "cup" → u sound ✔

Wait — let’s double-check:
- Hat: /hæt/ → a
- Rug: /rʌɡ/ → u (short u)
- Mug: /mʌɡ/ → u
- Cat: /kæt/ → a
- Dog: /dɒɡ/ → o
- Cup: /kʌp/ → u

So the pictures with the "u" sound are:
- Rug
- Mug
- Cup

Now, which ones have the same vowel sound in the middle?

- Rug, Mug, and Cup all have the short "u" sound (/ʌ/).

But wait — there's also a cat and dog — those don't have "u".

But look again: the instruction says: *"Draw lines connecting the vowel sound u to the pictures that have the same sound in the middle."*

There is a large "u" in the center. So we should connect the pictures that have the short "u" sound to this central "u".

So:
- Connect Rug
- Connect Mug
- Connect Cup

These three have the short "u" sound.

Other pictures:
- Hat → "a" sound → no
- Cat → "a" sound → no
- Dog → "o" sound → no

So only Rug, Mug, Cup should be connected to the central "u".

---

Step 2: Fill in the Missing Letter in Each Word

Now look at the bottom half. There are 6 pictures with words that are missing one letter.

We need to fill in the missing letter so that the word matches the picture and has the "u" sound.

Let’s go one by one:

1. Hand pointing → Picture shows a hand pointing
- Word: c_t
- Think: What word fits? “Cut” → but that's not a hand. Wait — maybe “cut”? But the hand doesn’t suggest "cut".
- Wait — actually, this might be “cut”? But the hand is pointing — could it be “cut”? Not likely.

Wait — perhaps it's “cup”? No — cup is already used.

Wait — look at the word: c_t
What word starts with “c”, ends with “t”, and has a “u” sound in the middle?

→ Cut! Yes! "Cut" has the short "u" sound.

But what does the picture show? A hand pointing — maybe it’s indicating “cut” as in “cut here”? Or is it just a hand?

Wait — maybe it's “hand”? But the word is c_t — so it must start with c.

So only possibility: Cut — but why is there a hand?

Wait — perhaps it's a finger or pointing — but the word is c_t.

Another idea: Could it be “cat”? But that’s “a” sound, not “u”.

Wait — unless the picture is a cat? But no — the picture is clearly a hand pointing.

Wait — maybe I misread.

Let me re-express the second part:

> Fill in the missing letter in each word.

And there are 6 pictures:

1. Hand pointing → c_t → cut? But hand pointing ≠ cut.

Wait — perhaps it's “clap”? No — not matching.

Wait — maybe the picture is not the object, but a gesture?

Alternatively — maybe the picture is a "cup"? No — the first row has mug, cup, etc.

Wait — let's list them carefully:

From the image description:

- First: Hand pointing → c_t
- Second: Pitcher/jug → j_g
- Third: Mouse → p_p
- Fourth: Ladybug → b_g
- Fifth: Nut → n_t
- Sixth: Mug → m_g

Ah! Now it makes sense.

So:

1. Hand pointing → c_t → cut? But "cut" doesn't match hand.

Wait — maybe it's "clap"? No.

Wait — perhaps it's "cat"? But then it would be "c_a_t", not "c_t".

Unless the missing letter is "a" — but the task is about "u" sound.

But the task says: "Fill in the missing letter in each word" — and all these words should have the "u" sound.

So let’s go through each:

---

Word Pairs:

1. Hand pointing → c_t
- Must be a word with "u" sound in the middle, starting with "c", ending with "t".
- Only possibility: cut → c_u_t
- So missing letter: u
- Even though the picture is a hand, perhaps it's symbolic? Or maybe it's a mistake?

Wait — but "cut" doesn't involve a hand pointing.

Wait — maybe it's "cat"? But "cat" has a sound.

No — the word must have the "u" sound.

So cut is the only option.

But the picture is a hand — perhaps it's "hand"? But word is c_t — can't be.

Wait — unless it's "cup"? But that's not the picture.

Wait — perhaps the picture is "cut"? Like scissors cutting?

But it shows a hand pointing — not scissors.

Wait — maybe it's "thumb"? But not matching.

Wait — perhaps the picture is "cup"? No — the cup is in the top row.

Wait — let's check the actual layout.

Looking at the second section:

It says: "Fill in the missing letter in each word."

Then:

1. Hand pointing → c_t
2. Jug → j_g
3. Mouse → p_p
4. Ladybug → b_g
5. Nut → n_t
6. Mug → m_g

Now — notice that:

- Jug → j_g → missing letter → u → jug
- Mug → m_g → u → mug
- Bug → b_g → u → bug
- Cut → c_t → u → cut
- Nut → n_t → u → nut
- Pup → p_p → u → pup

Oh! That’s it!

So the missing letter in each is "u".

Let’s verify:

1. c_t → cut → has "u" sound ✔
2. j_g → jug → u sound ✔
3. p_p → pup → u sound ✔
4. b_g → bug → u sound ✔
5. n_t → nut → u sound ✔
6. m_g → mug → u sound ✔

Perfect!

Now, even though the first picture is a hand pointing, it’s associated with the word "cut" — perhaps it's implying "cut here" or it's a visual cue for "cut".

Similarly, "pup" is a dog, but the picture is a mouse? Wait — no!

Wait — the third picture is a mouse, and the word is p_p → pup?

That doesn't make sense.

Wait — pup is a puppy — a dog.

But the picture is a mouse.

Contradiction?

Wait — let’s double-check:

- Third picture: mouse → p_p → pup? But pup is a dog.

No — that can’t be.

Wait — maybe it’s "pup" but the picture is wrong?

Or is it "pig"? But pig has i sound.

Wait — another idea: maybe the picture is "pup"? But it looks like a mouse.

Wait — perhaps the picture is a puppy? But described as "mouse"?

Wait — looking back: the user said: "p_p" under a mouse.

But "pup" means a young dog — not a mouse.

So inconsistency?

Wait — unless the picture is not a mouse?

Wait — perhaps it’s a "pup" — a small dog?

But the description says "mouse".

Wait — maybe the picture is a "pup" (small dog), but drawn like a mouse?

Unlikely.

Wait — perhaps it’s "pop"? But "pop" has o sound.

No.

Wait — another idea: "pup" is pronounced with "u" sound — yes, /pʌp/ — short "u".

But if the picture is a mouse, then it should be "mouse" — but that’s "m_o_use", has o sound.

So mismatch.

Wait — unless the picture is not a mouse?

Let’s re-read: "p_p" under a mouse.

But "mouse" is m_o_use — has o sound, not u.

So that can’t be.

Wait — unless it’s "pup" and the picture is a puppy, but drawn simply.

Maybe the picture is a puppy (young dog), not a mouse.

Perhaps the user mislabeled it.

Alternatively, could it be "pup" with a puppy?

Yes — likely.

Similarly, "nut" — picture is a nut — that makes sense.

"mug" — picture is a mug — good.

"jug" — picture is a jug — good.

"bug" — ladybug — good.

"cut" — hand pointing — maybe "cut" as in "cut here"? Possible.

But "p_p" — if it’s "pup", picture should be a puppy.

But if it’s a mouse, then it should be "mouse" — but that’s m_o_use, not p_p.

So either:

- The picture is a puppy, not a mouse
- Or the word is "mouse", but written as m_o_use, but the worksheet has p_p — no

Wait — unless it's "pup" and the picture is a puppy.

Likely, the user said "mouse" by mistake.

Let’s assume the pictures are:

1. Hand pointing → cut
2. Jug → jug
3. Puppy (or pup) → pup
4. Ladybug → bug
5. Nut → nut
6. Mug → mug

All of these have the short "u" sound.

So the missing letter in all cases is u.

---

Final Answers:

#### Part 1: Draw lines from the central "u" to pictures with "u" sound

Connect:
- Rug
- Mug
- Cup

(These are the only ones with short "u" sound)

Note: Hat, cat, dog do not have "u" sound.

#### Part 2: Fill in the missing letter

All missing letters are u:

1. c_t → cut
2. j_g → jug
3. p_p → pup
4. b_g → bug
5. n_t → nut
6. m_g → mug

---

✔ Final Answer:

- Connect: Rug, Mug, and Cup to the central "u"
- Missing letters: All are u

So write u in every blank.

---

Explanation:

The activity teaches the short "u" vowel sound (/ʌ/) as in "cup", "mug", "cut", "bug", "nut", "pup", "jug".

Even though some pictures may seem mismatched (like hand pointing for "cut"), it's likely meant to represent the action of cutting.

Similarly, "pup" is a small dog, so if the picture is a puppy, it's correct.

Thus, the solution is:

> All missing letters are "u".

✔ Answer: Fill in "u" in every blank.