This is a curated collection of free, high-quality printable worksheets designed to help students practice reading, writing, phonics, and comprehension with paper-and-pencil activities.
Parents and teachers often ask me where to find high-quality paper-and-pencil tasks that actually support learning—not filler or busywork. This page is a carefully curated collection of free printable literacy activities made available online by publishers, educational organizations, and curriculum developers.
All resources linked on this page are offered freely by their original creators. I do not host or claim ownership of these materials. Instead, I organize and describe them so educators and families can quickly find effective, classroom-ready worksheets and reading practice.
If you notice a broken link, an error, or have a suggestion for an excellent free resource to add, please let me know. Keeping this page accurate and useful helps everyone.
What Makes a High-Quality Task?
Teachers are encouraged to print activities that promote thinking, reading, writing, and skill application—not worksheets that simply keep students busy. The definition below comes directly from my school district and reflects what research-supported instruction looks like in practice.
Free Resources
Decodable & Sight Word Practice
- Decodable Dolch Sight Word Stories (Pre-Primer–Grade 3) – Sight words are best learned in meaningful context, not isolation. These decodable stories allow students to repeatedly encounter high-frequency words while still applying phonics skills. Students can read and illustrate them.
- Any pictureless text can be illustrated and summarized using SWBST (somebody, wanted, but, so, then.)
Free Printable Reading & Literacy Worksheets
The following websites provide a wide range of printable reading comprehension, phonics, grammar, and writing worksheets. Many allow you to filter by grade level, topic, or skill. Look for the word “printable” on each site.
- Technology—Printable reading comprehension worksheets by skill and grade.
- Mr. Nussbaum—Reading comprehension worksheets by grade level. Use the printable section: Printable Link
- Lanternfish—Initial sounds, cloze activities, caption writing, and picture-based language tasks.
- Education.com—Choose worksheets by grade, subject, and topic.
- English for Everyone—A wide variety of grammar, phonics, and language worksheets.
- K12 Reader—Free worksheets organized by grade, subject, and standards.
Core Knowledge & Decodable Programs
The resources below come directly from publishers and school districts that have made them publicly available. They are excellent for structured literacy, phonics practice, handwriting, grammar, and comprehension.
- Core Knowledge has readers and practice books.
| Core Knowledge Reader 1 Practice Book to accompany (handwriting, phonics, additional stories, and questions) |
| Core Knowledge Reader 2 Practice Book to accompany (grammar, phonics, additional stories, and questions) |
| Core Knowledge Reader 3 Practice Book to accompany (grammar, phonics, additional stories, and questions) |
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Core Knowledge Reader 4 |
| Core Knowledge Reader 5 Practice Book to accompany (grammar, phonics, additional stories, and questions) |
| Core Knowledge Reader 6 Practice Book to accompany (grammar, phonics, additional stories, and questions) |
| Core Knowledge Reader 7 Practice Book to accompany (grammar, phonics, additional stories, and questions) |
- UFLI Decodable Passages and UFLI Supplemental Passages—Students can summarize the passages, answer SWBST (somebody, wanted, but, so, then), and illustrate to demonstrate comprehension.
Reading Comprehension by Grade Level
- K5 Learning—Reading comprehension and math worksheets by grade.
- Nonfiction Reading Resources—Read grade-level passages and answer questions.
- Fiction Reading Resources—Teachers can choose the skill and strategy to focus on.
- eReading Worksheets—These worksheets align with the Common Core State Standards.
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ReadWorks—ReadWorks offers free, leveled reading passages with printable PDFs and comprehension questions. Students can read the passages and write their answers directly on the worksheets, making it perfect for paper-and-pencil literacy practice.
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CommonLit—CommonLit provides free reading passages for grades 3–12, many with printable PDFs that include comprehension questions, discussion prompts, and writing activities. These printables allow students to practice reading and responding on paper.
Nursery Rhymes & Early Literacy
Many children today are unfamiliar with traditional nursery rhymes, yet they are critical for developing phonological awareness, rhythm of language, and early reading skills.
- Hubbard’s Cupboard—Printable nursery rhymes, letter sheets, and rhyme activities.
- Students can tap and then spell the CVC words.
This page was last updated on December 29, 2025.
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