Activity Description

Preparation:

1. Generate a list of words that demonstrate long and short vowel sounds
   1. These can be used in conjunction with student-generated examples

Implementation:

1. Have students identify the vowel letters
   1. Write each vowel letter down the center of a piece of chart paper leaving space above and below each
   2. At the top, left-hand side of the chart paper write the word short sound and at the top, right-hand side of the page, write the word, long sound
2. Ask students to identify both the long and short sounds produced by each vowel
   1. For example, the short e sound as in enter versus the long e sound as in eagle
   2. Remind students that the long vowel sound simply sounds like the letters spoken name
3. Have students generate multiple examples of words to represent the short and long sounds produced by each vowel
   1. Reinforce each students example and add your own examples as needed
   2. Write examples beside their corresponding vowel underneath the appropriate heading, either short sound or long sound

Adaptations For

English Language Learners/ESL:

- Illustrate exemplar words produced when possible to provide pictorial representations of words

Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:

- Provide a broad range of exemplar words so that students find at least one example for each vowel relevant and meaningful

Related References

Evidence:
Armbruster, B. B., Lehr, F., & Osborn, J. (2003). Phonics instruction. In Put reading first: The research building blocks for teaching children to read kindergarten through grade 3 (pp. 11-17). Jessup, MD: National Institute for Literacy.