I Words for Kids

Explore our collection of I words for kids below, ready to be utilized in vocabulary lessons. We’ve also provided some fun text ideas that you can use by copying and pasting into your lesson materials.

We’re feeling incredible in Indianapolis, Indiana! In this series, our alphabet friends, A through Z, become tourists in America’s cities. At each of their stops, letters dig into their supplies in order to learn a new word study skill or vocabulary term. 

I has packed its bag for Indianapolis! During I’s trip, I is excited to learn about different syllable features and patterns with the help of some wonderful word lists in I’s tote bag. I is looking forward to exploring landmarks and all sorts of exciting places in Indianapolis, reviewing technology words that begin with “i”, and learning all about communication words, like emotions, that start with the letter “i”. Let’s journey to Indianapolis for a day of interesting adventures! 

Tip: Best educational practices related to word study include: read-alouds, discussion, and writing. It is important to build rich connections between readers and the vocabulary words they learn. For instance, discuss sample sentences and make other personal associations to bolster recall, decoding, and encoding. As always, remember that some words may require frontloading and framing depending on the learner’s age, background, and needs. Helpful reminders for readers: A vowel is a speech sound produced by letters a, e, i, o, u and sometimes y. A consonant is a speech sound produced by all of the other letters in the alphabet. 

CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) Words: I’s day starts at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. It’s interactive, innovative, interesting, and incredible! After a busy morning, I sits down to review their first word list about CVC words. These words have one consonant, followed by a vowel, followed by another consonant. Examples of CVC words include “cat,” “sit,” and “fun.” Below is a short list of consonant-vowel-consonant words that use “i” as the vowel. Let’s see how “i” sounds when it’s placed between two consonants.

bibdigliplidrid
bigdiplitpinrim
binhitmixpitsit
bitkitpigribwig

Closed Syllables: Vroom, vroom! Start your engines, speedsters! I is thrilled by the sights and sound of this busy track– especially the roaring engines. With a chance to see race cars up close and even take a lap around the track, it’s an adrenaline-pumping adventure. After all the excitement, I decides to take a pit stop for a look at a word list. When the vowel of a syllable is short, the syllable is closed off by one or more consonants. Examples of closed syllable words include “hat,” “pin,” and “dotted.” Let’s review these words with I.

itchinninitialinexcusableimpress
illickinitiateinterestedingrain
inkickyinstillinterestingillness
inchitchyintrepidimprintintersect

Open Syllables: It’s one, two, three strikes you’re OUT! I cheers on the home team, the Indianapolis Indians, as they hit home runs and slide into bases. With the crowd’s energy and the smell of popcorn in the air, it’s a grand slam of fun. After rooting for the team, I finds a comfy seat in the stands to take a break and enjoy some delicious ballpark snacks. Open syllables have a vowel sound that is long and ends with a vowel. Because there is no consonant after the vowel, the vowel is able to make the long sound, which sounds exactly like the name of the letter that makes the sound in that syllable. Examples of open syllable words include “no,” “me,” and “hi.” The “o” in “no” sounds just like how “o” is identified by name. The “i” in “hi” sounds just like how “i” is identified by name. Let’s review with I!

idolidolizeIowairateidol
icyideaIrishitinerary
iodineitemidealiris

Silent Vowel Pairs (or Teams): : It’s time for outdoor fun at White River State Park! I explores the beautiful park with winding trails, scenic views, and even a canal to paddle in. I takes a lot of fun selfies in this lush green space. Later, I finds a shady tree by the riverbank to take a break and enjoy the sounds of nature. The quiet of this park is the perfect place to review silent vowel pairs. Silent vowel teams have two vowels together: one of them stays silent. Examples of silent vowel pair words include “boat,” “rain,” and “suit.” Even though the vowels are a pair or team, the first vowel to appear in the pair makes the sound. Below is a list of words that begin with “i” that have a silent vowel pair. “I” makes all the noise in these words!

criedfliesliedtieuntie
diefriedpietiestried
driedfriesskiestriesspies

R-Controlled Vowels: I goes on a canal boat ride at the Indiana Central Canal, gliding through the water and learning about the city’s canal system. With picturesque views and the chance to spot ducks and turtles, it’s a relaxing adventure. After the boat ride, I finds a bench along the canal to take a break and enjoy the sloshing of the canal’s quiet waves. The next list in I’s bag This list is all about “R” and how it can be a bossy letter. R-controlled vowels happen when a vowel is controlled by the letter “r.” Examples of r-controlled vowels include “car,” “bird,” and “fern.” I reviews the list below to see how “i” can be controlled by “r” in different words.

birddirtgirlsquirmthirst
birthfirshirtsquirtviral
chirpfirmsirstirskirt
curlfirstsirenthirdsmirk

Final Stable Syllables: It’s time to unwind in Garfield Park! I enjoys the beauty of Garfield Park, with its colorful gardens and peaceful trails. After smelling fragrant flowers and enjoying so many scenic views, I decides to sit and have a snack. The next list in I’s bag is all about final stable syllables. Final stable syllables are found in the final (last or lattermost) position of words. These syllables contain a consonant and one of the following vowel endings: -ble, -cle, -dle, -fle, -gle, -kle, -ple, -sle, -tle, -zle, -tion, -sion, -ture, -cian, -cious, and -tious. They are called “stable” because the pronunciation of each is reliable and predictable (always the same). Here’s the list that I reads:

illustriousingleinscriptionintegrationinvention
impossibleinjectioninspirationintentioninvigilation
incredibleinkwellinstitutioninteractioninvincible
indelibleinquisitiveinstructioninvasioninvisible

“I” in Animals: Later on, Indianapolis Zoo, where it encounters a diverse array of fascinating animals from around the world. It marvels at playful dolphins, majestic lions, and colorful tropical birds. Learning about conservation and the importance of protecting wildlife, I is filled with awe and decides to take a short rest, ready for its next animal adventure! Explore animals from all over the globe, all of which begin with the letter, “d.”

impalaisopodIndian Peacockinsectibex
iguanaindriIrish Setterinchworm

“I” in Technology: I’s curiosity leads it to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, a hub of knowledge and interactive exhibits. It dives into the world of 21st-century technologies, exploring virtual reality, robotics, and innovative inventions. With wide-eyed wonder, I expands its understanding of the modern world and… the future! Feeling inspired, I decides to take a short rest, eager for its next thrilling encounter. The next list in I’s bag is, of course, all about technology! Here’s what I sees!

internetiPhoneiconI.T. (information technology)input
iPadiPodinterfaceinnovate

“I” in Communication: I visits the Indianapolis Firefighters Museum. I learns about the heroic firefighters who protect the city. I gets to see vintage fire trucks, try on firefighter gear, and even slide down a fire pole. After all the excitement, I finds a cozy spot in a firefighter-themed reading area to take a break and digs back into its bag for some very important words. Here are nouns, adjectives, and verbs that readers and communicators should become familiar with.

inclusiveinitiativeinquisitiveinspireinteresting
interestinteractionintelligentimaginativeinsightful
investinteractindustriousinventiveinvolved
investedinterpersonalintegrityindependentintegrate
inviteimpressiveill-fitintuitiveintegrated
invitationinquireinspireillnessinclude