Why? Because if you use word families incorrectly, students may end up just following the “pattern” of that particular lesson, blindly zipping through the spelling words without really learning them. “If you stop there-just teaching word lists grouped by word families-you will be severely disappointed in your teaching efforts.

Use word families as a strategy to teach short vowels, but not the ONLY way!Īll About Learning Press has an argument against relying solely on word families in your teaching. To begin, I’m not saying word families can’t have a place in the classroom, but it can’t be the only way short vowels are taught. Years ago as a teacher, I would begin each school year teaching word families. I hope you can incorporate some of the 5 Easy Short Vowel Activities in your own classroom. It also includes corresponding worksheets to practice each short vowel. The students can practice reading many words as they learn all about the short vowels. It provides example words for each short vowel. Use Visuals! Try out my teaching slideshow, “ We Love Short Vowels”.The students love this practice and it is a perfect multi-sensory activity. For example, if the teacher will say /ă/, the students will hold up the card. See the photo below! The teacher will say a short vowel sound, the students will hold up the corresponding card. Each student will have the 5 vowels on separate notecards, in a little tent. Vowel Intensive Drill: In Orton Gillingham, a wonderful way to practice the short vowel sounds is the vowel intensive drill.Step it up by having the teacher say a word, the students will write the vowel into the sand. The teacher will say a sound, the students will write the corresponding vowel into the sand. Sand Trays! Pour sensory sand or play sand onto a tray or plate.This post will explain more about open and closed syllables! Here is my Instagram Reel that shows closed syllables in action. Laminate to reuse! Write CVC words onto the house to show how the consonant closes in the vowel and makes the vowel. Closed Syllable Houses! Have the students make a little house with a door.Multi-sensory techniques will help make more brain connections as the students these short vowel sounds. For example, for the short a sound…students can place their hand under their chin to feel the movement. Add Movement! When you teach the short vowel sounds, incorporate a movement for each sound.Let’s discuss 5 easy short vowel activities! These 5 ideas will help the students grasp the concept of short vowels while having fun! Using a house to practice open and closed syllables.

Short vowel sounds lesson plan