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Year 3 ‘ay’ Sound Spelt ei, eigh and ey Worksheets (940-942)
This Year 3 ‘ay’ Sound Spelt ei, eigh and ey Worksheet Set helps children build confidence with one of the trickier long vowel spelling patterns in English. Pupils explore how the long /ay/ sound can be represented in different ways, including ei as in vein, eigh as in eight and ey as in they.
The worksheets are differentiated across three levels, making them suitable for mixed-ability Year 3 classes. Children begin by identifying and circling the target sound within words, before moving on to choosing the correct spelling, matching words to meanings, sorting words by spelling pattern, completing sentences and writing their own sentences using key vocabulary.
This set is particularly useful for developing spelling accuracy, vocabulary understanding and phonics knowledge. It also gives children repeated exposure to common and curriculum-linked words such as eight, weigh, neighbour, grey, obey, rein, sleigh, weight, freight and survey.
The resource works well as part of a Year 3 spelling lesson, weekly homework task, small-group intervention, morning starter, revision activity or independent literacy task.
What’s Included
This PDF worksheet set includes:
3 differentiated pupil worksheets
3 matching answer sheets
Activities focused on the long /ay/ sound spelt ei, eigh and ey
Word sorting tasks
Sentence completion activities
Word meaning and vocabulary tasks
Sentence writing practice
QR code linking to a helpful support video
Black-and-white printable layout
Differentiated Levels
Triangles
Children identify the ‘ay’ sound in words, choose the correct spelling in sentences and match words to simple clues. This level provides clear support and repeated exposure to the key spelling patterns.
Circles
Children sort words into ei, eigh and ey groups, complete sentences using the correct words and match key vocabulary to meanings. This level develops both spelling pattern recognition and word understanding.
Squares
Children complete words by adding the correct spelling pattern, use target words in sentences and write their own sentences using words such as neighbour, weigh, sleigh, survey, obey and vein. This provides a greater challenge for more confident spellers.
Key Skills Covered
Long /ay/ sound spelling patterns
Words spelt with ei
Words spelt with eigh
Words spelt with ey
Spelling pattern recognition
Vocabulary development
Homophone awareness, including rein/rain and weigh/weight
Sentence completion
Using spelling words in context
Independent sentence writing
Proofreading and spelling accuracy
Example Words Included
eight
they
vein
grey
weigh
beige
neighbour
obey
rein
sleigh
prey
weight
freight
survey
eighty
Curriculum Links
This worksheet set supports the Year 3 English spelling curriculum by helping children recognise and apply less common spelling patterns for vowel sounds. It is ideal for reinforcing phonics, spelling rules, vocabulary knowledge and accurate word choice.
The activities also support wider literacy development by encouraging children to use spelling words correctly within meaningful sentence contexts.
SATs and NAPLAN Preparation
Although this resource is designed for Year 3, it also supports the spelling and vocabulary skills children will continue to need as they move towards later assessments, including KS2 SATs in the UK. Regular practice with spelling patterns, word meanings and sentence context helps children build the accuracy and confidence needed for spelling, grammar and reading tasks.
For Australian teachers and families, this worksheet set can also support NAPLAN-style spelling and language practice, particularly by helping pupils recognise correct spellings, understand word meanings and apply words accurately in sentences.
Perfect For
Year 3 spelling lessons
English homework
Phonics revision
Morning work
Literacy rotations
Small-group support
Intervention groups
Independent practice
SATs preparation foundations
NAPLAN-style spelling practice
Home learning
Tutor resources
Why Teachers and Parents Will Love It
This resource is ready to print and easy to use. The differentiated structure allows children to work at an appropriate level while practising the same spelling focus. The clear layout, answer sheets and QR support video make it useful for both classroom teaching and homework.
It gives pupils repeated practice with the tricky ei, eigh and ey spellings while keeping the tasks varied, purposeful and manageable.
This Year 3 ‘ay’ Sound Spelt ei, eigh and ey Worksheet Set helps children build confidence with one of the trickier long vowel spelling patterns in English. Pupils explore how the long /ay/ sound can be represented in different ways, including ei as in vein, eigh as in eight and ey as in they.
The worksheets are differentiated across three levels, making them suitable for mixed-ability Year 3 classes. Children begin by identifying and circling the target sound within words, before moving on to choosing the correct spelling, matching words to meanings, sorting words by spelling pattern, completing sentences and writing their own sentences using key vocabulary.
This set is particularly useful for developing spelling accuracy, vocabulary understanding and phonics knowledge. It also gives children repeated exposure to common and curriculum-linked words such as eight, weigh, neighbour, grey, obey, rein, sleigh, weight, freight and survey.
The resource works well as part of a Year 3 spelling lesson, weekly homework task, small-group intervention, morning starter, revision activity or independent literacy task.
What’s Included
This PDF worksheet set includes:
3 differentiated pupil worksheets
3 matching answer sheets
Activities focused on the long /ay/ sound spelt ei, eigh and ey
Word sorting tasks
Sentence completion activities
Word meaning and vocabulary tasks
Sentence writing practice
QR code linking to a helpful support video
Black-and-white printable layout
Differentiated Levels
Triangles
Children identify the ‘ay’ sound in words, choose the correct spelling in sentences and match words to simple clues. This level provides clear support and repeated exposure to the key spelling patterns.
Circles
Children sort words into ei, eigh and ey groups, complete sentences using the correct words and match key vocabulary to meanings. This level develops both spelling pattern recognition and word understanding.
Squares
Children complete words by adding the correct spelling pattern, use target words in sentences and write their own sentences using words such as neighbour, weigh, sleigh, survey, obey and vein. This provides a greater challenge for more confident spellers.
Key Skills Covered
Long /ay/ sound spelling patterns
Words spelt with ei
Words spelt with eigh
Words spelt with ey
Spelling pattern recognition
Vocabulary development
Homophone awareness, including rein/rain and weigh/weight
Sentence completion
Using spelling words in context
Independent sentence writing
Proofreading and spelling accuracy
Example Words Included
eight
they
vein
grey
weigh
beige
neighbour
obey
rein
sleigh
prey
weight
freight
survey
eighty
Curriculum Links
This worksheet set supports the Year 3 English spelling curriculum by helping children recognise and apply less common spelling patterns for vowel sounds. It is ideal for reinforcing phonics, spelling rules, vocabulary knowledge and accurate word choice.
The activities also support wider literacy development by encouraging children to use spelling words correctly within meaningful sentence contexts.
SATs and NAPLAN Preparation
Although this resource is designed for Year 3, it also supports the spelling and vocabulary skills children will continue to need as they move towards later assessments, including KS2 SATs in the UK. Regular practice with spelling patterns, word meanings and sentence context helps children build the accuracy and confidence needed for spelling, grammar and reading tasks.
For Australian teachers and families, this worksheet set can also support NAPLAN-style spelling and language practice, particularly by helping pupils recognise correct spellings, understand word meanings and apply words accurately in sentences.
Perfect For
Year 3 spelling lessons
English homework
Phonics revision
Morning work
Literacy rotations
Small-group support
Intervention groups
Independent practice
SATs preparation foundations
NAPLAN-style spelling practice
Home learning
Tutor resources
Why Teachers and Parents Will Love It
This resource is ready to print and easy to use. The differentiated structure allows children to work at an appropriate level while practising the same spelling focus. The clear layout, answer sheets and QR support video make it useful for both classroom teaching and homework.
It gives pupils repeated practice with the tricky ei, eigh and ey spellings while keeping the tasks varied, purposeful and manageable.