Free FLOSS rule worksheets

The FLOSS rule is one of the first spelling rules a child can really use: in a word of one syllable with one short vowel, the f, l, s or z at the end is written twice. cliff, bell, grass, buzz. The word floss is the reminder, because it holds the letters f, l and s and doubles its own s, and z does the same thing in buzz and fizz. Many programs call it the 1-1-1 rule after the three checks: one syllable, one short vowel, one f, l, s or z at the end. These eight worksheets teach the rule, give a separate page to the fifteen common words that break it, and finish with a twenty-item check. Six of the eight have an answer key on page 2.

What's in this set

1. The FLOSS rule explained. The rule in a box with ff, ll, ss and zz examples, a three-step worked example on bell, then six words to finish: cliff, grass, puff, mill, buzz, dress. Answer key.
2. Add ff, ll, ss or zz. Twelve words with the last two letters missing and a short clue for each: sniff, shell, class, fizz, stuff, hill, cross, jazz, stiff, spell, press, fuzz. Answer key.
3. Sort by ending. Sixteen words in a bank to copy into four columns, four to a column: cuff, off, gruff, whiff; swell, grill, doll, still; floss, boss, brass, guess; buzz, fuzz, razz, frizz. Answer key.
4. Which one is right? Twelve pairs with one correct spelling to circle. Eight follow the rule (cliff, bell, grass, buzz, stuff, doll, fizz, miss) and four are exceptions that keep a single letter (bus, gas, yes, plus). Answer key.
5. Rule or exception? The fifteen exception words grouped by why they break the rule: is, as, has, was and his where the s sounds like z; us, bus, gas, yes, plus and this; pal and nil with one l; if and of with one f. Then fourteen words to mark R for rule or E for exception. Answer key.
6. Write the FLOSS word. Ten written clues with one box per letter and the first letter given: cliff, bell, grass, buzz, doll, dress, shell, kiss, class, sniff. Answer key.
7. FLOSS dictation. Eight sentences for an adult to read out, with two writing lines for each and a score box. The sentences are printed on page 2 only, so the child cannot copy them. Ten FLOSS words in all, counting grass, glass and class.
8. FLOSS rule check. Twenty items in three parts: ten words to finish with the double letter, six spellings to choose between, four words to label rule or exception, and a score box. Answer key.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FLOSS rule?

In a word of one syllable with one short vowel, double the f, l, s or z at the end: cliff, bell, grass, buzz. The mnemonic word floss gives you three of the four letters and shows the doubling in its own spelling. The letter z is added because it behaves the same way.

Is the FLOSS rule the same as the 1-1-1 rule or the doubling rule?

They overlap. The three checks for FLOSS are one syllable, one short vowel, one f, l, s or z at the end, which is why many teachers call it 1-1-1. The same name is also used for the rule about adding endings, where hop becomes hopping. Both exist because a doubled consonant marks the vowel in front of it as short, but they do different jobs, so check which one a program means.

What are the exceptions to the FLOSS rule?

Fifteen common words: if, of, is, as, has, was, his, us, bus, gas, this, yes, plus, pal and nil. Sheet 5 groups them by why they break the rule and gives a sorting task to go with them. They are learned by sight, not by reasoning.

What grade is the FLOSS rule taught in?

Usually the second half of first grade, with revision in second and third grade. Children who still write bel and gras in third grade benefit from the same sheets, which is why this set is labeled grades 1 to 3.

Does the double letter stay when you add an ending?

Yes. grass becomes grassy, buzz becomes buzzing, dress becomes dresses, miss becomes missing. The base word keeps its spelling, and that holds in compound words too: uphill, dollhouse, bluebell, kickoff.

Do these worksheets have answer keys?

Six of the eight have answers on page 2, each marked with an answer key badge. The dictation sheet has the eight sentences on page 2 for the adult to read.

More phonics and spelling practice

The FLOSS rule sits on top of short-vowel reading, so if a child is still sounding out three-letter words start with the CVC words worksheets and the word families worksheets. Next to it, the digraphs worksheets cover sh, ch, th and wh, the other place where two letters work as one unit. For wider practice use the phonics worksheets and the spelling worksheets.