Red the Hen

Short E Kindergarten CVC Foundations
Red the Hen

Pip had a pet hen. The hen was red.

Red got out of her pen. Her legs got wet. Pip had a big net. Red ran and ran. Pip ran to get her pet. But she did not get Red. Pip set the net on the grass.

Pip had a good tip. She set a dry grass bed in the pen.

“Rest, Red,” said Pip.

The wet hen did not run. The grass bed was not wet. Red got in the pen. Red sat on the bed. Pip fed her pet.

Circle or highlight all the short E words in the story above. How many did you find?
2-page PDF: story + coloring page • No signup required
Red the Hen coloring page illustration
Coloring page included in PDF

Reader Details

Phonics Skill Short E
Grade Level Kindergarten
Phase CVC Foundations
Worksheets Short E Worksheets

Target Words

bed red fed led wed hen pen ten men den jet net

Sight Words

the is a and to was it on his her

More Short E Readers

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About This Decodable Reader

“Red the Hen” is a free printable decodable reader designed for kindergarten students practicing short e phonics patterns. This mini-book uses phonetically controlled vocabulary so beginning readers can successfully sound out nearly every word in the story, building confidence and reinforcing the specific phonics skills they're learning.

The 2-page PDF includes the reading passage on page one and a coloring page illustration on page two. Print both pages, staple together, and your child has an instant mini-book. The coloring activity reinforces story comprehension and makes reading practice feel like a fun activity rather than homework.

This reader is part of our collection of 50 free decodable readers organized by phonics skill and aligned with the Science of Reading. For additional practice with short e patterns, try our short e phonics worksheets which include word sorts, phrasing practice cards, and rapid naming charts.