1 Decodable Reading Passage
A short, decodable story embedding the -tion ending words. Students read the passage then highlight all the target words.
Luke's Train Invention
Coloring page included in PDF
Luke stood in his room with a big plan. He wanted to build a grand toy track across the floor. This would be his best invention yet. He had a green toy train that could run on its own. Now, he just needed to lay the wooden tracks so the train could go to the main station.
First, Luke laid out a large portion of the track. He laid the long paths. Then, he built a track junction where the train could turn this way or that. Close to the turn, he set up a small flag with a suction cup on the base to keep it upright. On the flag, Luke wrote a short caption that said, "GO!"
Next, it was time to see his invention in motion. Luke turned the tiny button on the train. The engine hummed. He put the train on the track and watched the action. The train went fast down the long track, but it stopped at the curved section. The wheels spun and spun, but the train did not move.
"This is a hard snag," Luke said. The train did not have enough traction on the smooth wood. There was too much friction when the wheels tried to turn. Luke sat on the floor and sighed. He had to find a way to make the wheels grip.
His sister Gwen walked into the room. She looked at the stopped train. "Do you have a way to fix it?" she asked. Luke thought fast. He did not want his train to just be a useless toy that did not really run. He wanted a real train that could function.
"I have a plan," Luke said. He did not mention his plan to Gwen yet. Instead, he grabbed a roll of sticky tape. He cut tiny strips of tape. He carefully wrapped a portion of tape around each wheel. This was his big mission.
Luke placed the train back on the curved section. He flipped the button. The train moved a fraction of an inch, and then the tape gripped the track! The train went around the curve with speed. The tape gave it the traction it needed to overcome the friction.
The train sped past the flag and the junction, and ran perfectly past the station. Gwen clapped her hands. "Your invention is a win!" she yelled. Luke smiled. His train was finally in full motion, and his big mission was done.
Circle or highlight all the words that end in -tion in the story above. How many did you find?
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Free decodable reader
Read “Luke's Train Invention” as an illustrated mini-book →
The full printable story + coloring page, using only the -tion ending sounds your child has learned.
2 Word Sort
Cut out the word cards and sort them into the correct columns: More Than One Syllable vs One Syllable.
More Than One Syllable
One Syllable
action
motion
station
fiction
lotion
potion
section
mention
cat
dog
sun
box
top
hat
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3 Phrasing Practice Cards
Practice reading these phrases for fluency. Cut out the cards and read them quickly and smoothly.
a action
the motion
a station
the fiction
a lotion
the potion
a section
the mention
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4 RAN Chart (Rapid Naming)
Read each word in the grid as quickly as you can. Time yourself and try to beat your best time!
Decodable RAN Chart — The -tion Ending
action
motion
action
action
motion
fiction
lotion
fiction
lotion
fiction
motion
action
station
station
lotion
station
Target words: action, motion, station, fiction, lotion
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5 Word Search
Find and circle the the -tion ending words hidden in the grid. Words go across, down, and diagonally — a fun way to reinforce the -tion ending word recognition.
The -tion Ending Word Search
A
P
L
O
T
I
O
N
G
M
F
R
I
C
T
I
O
N
U
O
M
I
S
S
I
O
N
A
V
T
Z
M
C
A
P
T
I
O
N
I
W
J
P
O
T
I
O
N
J
O
S
Y
G
F
I
C
T
I
O
N
U
P
M
E
N
T
I
O
N
G
P
M
S
E
C
T
I
O
N
X
G
F
S
T
A
T
I
O
N
M
P
F
R
A
C
T
I
O
N
K
ACTION
CAPTION
FICTION
FRACTION
FRICTION
LOTION
MENTION
MISSION
MOTION
POTION
SECTION
STATION
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📖 Decodable Readers for The -tion Ending
Next step: once your child can sound out these words, have them read a matching decodable mini-book. Each The -tion Ending reader is a printable story + coloring page using only sounds they've learned.