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Sal's Big Bag

Short A Kindergarten CVC Foundations
Sal's Big Bag
Sal's Big Bag, page 1
1Sal had a big red bag. She will pack it for the van.
Sal's Big Bag, page 2
2Sal put a map and a fan in her bag. She put in jam and ham.
Sal's Big Bag, page 3
3But the bag was too full. It will not zip. Sal was sad. "I must take this out," Sal said.
Sal's Big Bag, page 4
4She set the fan on the bed. Now the bag can zip! Sal ran to Dad in the van.
Circle or highlight all the target words in the story above.

Comprehension Questions

After reading, ask these questions to check understanding:

  1. What color is Sal’s big bag?
  2. Why would Sal’s bag not zip?
  3. Where did Sal run to at the end?
Keep practicing
Practice Short A with 10 more free worksheets

Picture worksheets to read, match and spell short a words, plus this story's word sort, phrasing cards and word search.

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Sal's Big Bag printed mini-book cover Download Mini-Book
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Read-aloud version (one page per sheet, for projecting)
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Reader Details

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

Target Words

cat bat hat mat sat tap cap nap map van can ran

Sight Words

the is a and to was it on his had her he my said

More Short A Readers

Pam's Red Hat illustration
Pam's Red Hat
 Kim's Jam illustration
Kim's Jam
 Max's Hiding Cat illustration
Max's Hiding Cat
 Tom's Lost Cap illustration
Tom's Lost Cap
 Dan Plays Tag illustration
Dan Plays Tag
 Gus and the Cap illustration
Gus and the Cap
 Hal's Big Fan illustration
Hal's Big Fan
 Jon's Bag illustration
Jon's Bag
 Dad's Lost Map illustration
Dad's Lost Map
 Sal and Pat illustration
Sal and Pat
 Pat in the Van illustration
Pat in the Van
Did they understand it?
One-page stories to read, then circle, color or draw

Free kindergarten reading comprehension sheets, built from the same short-vowel words as this book. Black and white, with answer keys.

See the kindergarten sheets →
← Bret's Red Brick Hal's Big Fan →

About This Decodable Reader

“Sal's Big Bag” is a free printable decodable reader designed for kindergarten students practicing short a 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 free PDF is a full-color illustrated mini-book: a cover, four picture pages with one or two lines of story text each, and a back page listing the short a words, high-frequency words, and discussion questions. Print the three sheets, cut each one in half along the dashed line, and staple — your child has a real little book to hold. A read-aloud version with one large page per sheet is also included for projecting to the whole class.

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