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Teaching the difference between short and long vowels can be tricky for students to grasp in reading and spelling. Why do letters make the short and long sound?
First, I introduce the short vowels and make sure the students are comfortable distinguishing between short and long vowel sounds (not the spellings…yet!)
For example…
Does blast have a short or long vowel sound?
Does cave have short or long vowel sound?
After the students have mastered that…we move to learning the “open” long vowel syllables. Open syllables are when a vowel is by itself, but makes the long sound.
Examples:
hi
me
he
robot
music
If you need more help teaching open and closed syllables, this resource will help. Open and Closed Syllables
We follow the Orton Gillingham method during our phonics instruction.
The OA like in “boat”, the EE in “meet”, the AI in “sail”.
I do not use the phrase, “The first one does the walking, the next one does the talking.” Too many words in the English language do not follow this rule.
Instead, I explicitly teach each vowel team and we practice spelling and reading the words throughout the lessons.
I often refer to the long vowels being “long and strong” while I pump my muscles! This seems to stick!
The lessons in the “We Love Long Vowels” resource will take you step by step in introducing each vowel team.
Also included in the “We Love Long Vowels” resource is IGH and Magic E…both which make long vowel sounds.
The IGH is a tricky one, but actually very simple once you know this trick…watch below. (Check out more phonics video tips HERE)
Long Vowel I Worksheets also come in handy!
The Magic E will also change the previous vowel to a long vowel sound. I absolutely love teaching this phonics concept! We start out with the “We Love Magic E” slideshow (available HERE), and make a Magic E anchor chart together! There are many more practice long vowel Magic E worksheets to go along with this resource.
I have always loved teaching phonics and reading, but after we were trained in the Orton Gillingham method…I absolutely love teaching phonics lessons!
Teaching 1st grade phonics can be tricky or frustrating. Teaching any grade level the tricky English language is a challenge.
With simple strategies the Orton Gillingham method covers, has inspired me to create a visual teaching tool to cover the phonics skills for kindergarten, 1st grade, or 2nd grade.
Each “We Love Phonics” lessons/unit will have a slideshow to teach the sound and phonics worksheets that correspond. From digraphs to long vowel teams…the “We Love Phonics” series will cover it all!
Completed units as of Spring 2021:
–CH
–SH
–PH
–NG
–IGH
More units coming soon!
Entire year will be complete by Summer 2021!
Please share your favorite tips and tricks!
