Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
One Cat, Two Cats: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
One Cat, Two Cats is a free printable English worksheet for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children read, choose and fix plural words, adding s or es to show more than one. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
The sheet opens with a rule box that children read first, ideally with a grown-up. Then they work down the page, reading each word carefully, choosing the right plural and fixing words that need changing. There are unjumbled plural words too. Children say each plural aloud before they write it, so they listen to the word as well as look at it.
How the sheet builds plural skills
Read the rule first
The rule box comes before the questions. Reading it together gives children a clear idea to hold in mind as they work.
Say it, then write it
Children say each plural aloud before writing. Hearing the ending helps them decide between s and es.
Choose and fix
Choosing a correct plural and fixing a wrong one are different jobs. Both make children look closely at how a word ends.
Use the words in sentences
The stretch idea asks for a sentence for each unjumbled plural word. This links spelling to meaning and to writing.
Why plurals matter in Year 1
A plural word means more than one. Most nouns in English simply add s, as in one cat and two cats. Some words need es instead. These are words that end in a hissing or buzzing sound, because adding only s would make them hard to say. The es adds a small extra beat to the word, and children can hear that beat when they say it aloud.
In the National Curriculum for England, Year 1 spelling and grammar include regular plural endings with s and es. Children also learn that the same ending can change how a word works in a sentence. Short, focused practice helps them notice endings in their own reading and writing, which is where the skill matters most.
Skills and curriculum link
- Adding s and es
- Spelling plurals
- Singular and plural
- Reading carefully
- Saying words aloud
Ideas that help with plurals
- Listen to the endingSay the word slowly and listen to the last sound. Some endings are easier to say with an extra beat.
- Look at the last lettersLook at how the word finishes before you choose s or es. The ending gives a clue.
- Say the plural aloudSay the whole plural word out loud. If it sounds right, check that it also looks right on the page.
- Check every letterWrite the single word first, then add the ending. Look back to make sure no letters have been lost.
Key words
- SingularA word that means just one thing.
- PluralA word that means more than one thing.
- EndingThe letters at the end of a word.
- SuffixLetters added to the end of a word to change it, such as s or es.
- RuleA pattern that tells us how words usually work.
- NounA naming word for a person, animal, place or thing.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes for you.
- Read the rule box together first. Talk about what singular and plural mean.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice before your child writes.
- Let your child work down the sheet alone, saying each plural aloud before writing it. Then check against the notes on page 2.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use real objects, such as two pencils and one box, so children see singular and plural. Put one object down, say the word, then put down more and say the plural. Let them hear the ending before they write it.
To stretch confident children
Ask children to write a sentence for each unjumbled plural word. Check that each sentence makes sense and that the plural word is spelled correctly. Confident children can add a describing word to make each sentence longer.
Make it a game
Call out a singular word. Children clap and shout the plural, adding s or es. Take turns to be the caller. Each time, ask the group to say how the word ends and whether it needs s or es.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child adds s to every word, even when it sounds wrong.
Try thisSay the word with just s added and listen together. Ask what sound the word ends with, then look at the rule box again.
Watch forA child adds es to every word.
Try thisRemind them that most words only need s. Compare cat and cats with a word that needs es, and talk about why they differ.
Watch forA child leaves out letters from the word when writing the plural.
Try thisWrite the single word first, then add the ending after it. Touch each letter and check it matches the original word.
Talk about it
- What does plural mean? Can you tell me in your own words?
- Can you think of something at home that you have just one of? Something you have lots of?
- How did you decide between s and es for that word?
- What do you notice when you say the plural out loud?
- Which word on the sheet was the trickiest, and why?
- Can you make up a sentence that uses a plural word?
Take it off the page
Plural hunt
Walk around the house or classroom and find things that come in ones and in groups. Say the singular word, then the plural, and write a few down.
Toy sort
Put toys into groups of one and groups of many. Label each group with a card that shows the singular or plural word.
Plural story
Tell a short story together about a place full of animals or objects. Every time you say a plural word, clap once.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Short bursts work better than long sessions. If they get stuck, bring out real objects and say the words together.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task, a supply resource, homework or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Pair the sheet with picture books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Point out plural words in stories and signs. Reuse the sheet for brothers and sisters, or return to it a few weeks later.
Where this skill fits
Before this sheet, children listen to and say words, talk about one and more than one, and learn letter sounds and common spellings. Reading simple sentences aloud also helps them notice word endings.
After this, children meet more plural patterns and words that change more than just their ending. They also use endings on other kinds of words as their spelling grows. Plural practice in Year 1 gives them a base for all of this.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is One Cat, Two Cats for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Some children in Reception may enjoy it with help, and some in Year 2 may use it as revision.
- What will children practise?
Children practise making plural words with s and es. They read carefully, choose the right plural, fix words and say each plural aloud before writing it. It supports spelling and grammar.
- How do I use it?
Read the rule box together first. Children then work down the sheet alone, saying each plural aloud before writing. Work through it together the first time, then check against the notes on page 2.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use real objects, such as two pencils and one box, so children see singular and plural. Say the words together and let them hear the endings. Come back to the sheet another day.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision, and Black and white printing works well.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has help and stretch ideas.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It is a screen free printable that needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Children read and write by hand.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.