Adding -ing Suffix Worksheet | Essential Grade 1 ELA

Students master the foundational mechanics of verb conjugation with this focused Grade 1 ELA worksheet. By adding the -ing suffix to 14 action words, learners practice identifying when to keep the root intact and when to apply the silent e rule. This activity builds phonetic awareness for early literacy success.

At a Glance

• Grade: Grade 1 · Subject: English Language Arts
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2.E — Spell untaught words phonetically, drawing on phonemic awareness and spelling conventions
• Skill Focus: Adding -ing suffix to verbs
• Format: 1 page · 14 problems · Answer key included · PDF
• Best For: Literacy centers and independent morning work
• Time: 10–15 minutes

This resource features 14 clear tasks designed to reinforce spelling patterns in present participle verbs. Each task presents a base verb followed by a writing space for practice. The list includes a strategic mix of words like "jump" and silent e verbs like "write," ensuring students recognize spelling adjustments before adding the ending suffix.

Skill Progression

• Guided Practice: The initial tasks allow teachers to model the process of adding suffixes to simple and silent e verbs.
• Supported Practice: Tasks 4 through 10 provide a consistent format for identifying patterns with minimal intervention.
• Independent Practice: The final tasks challenge students to alternate correctly between standard suffix addition and the drop-e rule.

This structure follows a gradual-release model, transitioning students through the I Do, We Do, You Do methodology.

Standards Alignment

This worksheet aligns to `CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2.E`, requiring students to spell words phonetically using phonemic awareness. It specifically addresses dropping the final silent e when adding suffixes. These standard codes can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools for easy documentation and tracking.

How to Use It

Use this during the "You Do" portion of a lesson to assess understanding of the silent e rule. It serves as an excellent formative assessment tool; observe students to identify who needs targeted intervention. Most Grade 1 learners will complete the entire 14-problem set in under 15 minutes.

Who It's For

This activity is designed for first-grade students beginning to explore complex spelling patterns. It is effective for English Language Learners who need repetitive practice with verb inflections. Pair this worksheet with a suffix anchor chart or a short reading passage highlighting verbs in the present continuous tense for best results.

The systematic acquisition of morphological awareness, specifically the ability to manipulate word endings like the -ing suffix, is a critical predictor of later reading comprehension and spelling accuracy. According to Fisher & Frey (2014), the gradual release of responsibility model employed in this 14-task worksheet allows students to move from cognitive modeling to independent application of the CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2.E standard. By practicing the specific rule of dropping the silent e before adding a vowel-starting suffix, students build the orthographic mapping skills necessary for fluent writing. Research indicates that isolated skill practice helps solidify phonemic awareness and generalizes learned spelling patterns across various text types. This resource provides the structured repetition required for students to achieve mastery in suffix application, ensuring they can accurately transform base verbs into their present participle forms while adhering to standard English conventions in early elementary education.