Rules to follow or break!
In word study it is commonly known that the English language has two kinds of letters: vowels and consonants. The vowels are a, e, i, o, u and sometimes y or w. The consonants are the letters that are not vowels: b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, z. Long vowels make the same sound just as it is when the alphabet is recited (“a” as in bake). Short vowels have a softer sound (“a” as in “tag”).
There are some common rules for pronouncing words with short and long vowels. However, with any rule there are always exceptions. These are indicated in our word sorts as ”odd- ball words.”
1. Short -Vowel Pattern: If a one syllable word has a vowel in the middle, (consonant– vowel-consonant), the vowel usually has a short sound: Examples: fat, log, pan, mat, bad, not. Exception example: was
(If the letter after the vowel is f, l, or s, this letter is often doubled. Examples: staff, ball, pass.)
2. Two-Vowels Together Pattern: If two vowels are next to each other in a word, (consonant-vowel-vowel-consonant), the first vowel is usually long and the second vowel is silent. Examples: beat, mail, pain, float, lie, pie. Exception example: foil
3. Vowel-Consonant-_e Pattern: If a short word, or the last syllable of a longer word, ends in “e”, (vowel-consonant_e), the first vowel is usually long and the e is silent. Examples: face, shake, vice, smoke, cube. Exception example: love
4. Final vowel pattern: If a short word ends with a vowel, (consonant- vowel), the vowel is usually long. Examples: my, go, she. Exception example: to
Of course, all word study is based on the continuing assessment of students’ individual needs.
This Level 4: Short and Long Vowels Bundle includes 25 pages:
Page 1: Short Vowels I - _ch, _sh, _th, & _wh - *
Page 2: Short Vowels II - a, i, o, & u - *
Page 3: Short Vowels III - All vowels - *
Page 4: Vowel a - Short (closed a) & Long (a_e) - *
Page 5: Long Vowel a - a_e, ai, ay, & ei - *
Page 6: Vowel e - Short (closed e & ea) and Long (ea & ee) - *
Page 7: Long Vowel e - ea, ee, & ie - *
Page 8: Vowel o - Short (closed o) and Long (oa & o_e) - *
Page 9: Long Vowel o- Open o, oa, & ow - *
Page 10: Vowel i - Short (closed i) and Long (i_e, & ie) - *
Page 11: Long Vowel i - i-con-con, igh, y, & y_e - *
Page 12: Vowel u - Short (closed u) & Long (ew, u_e, ue, & ui) - *
Pages 11-23: Additional Word Study Resources
Level 4 Word Study Scope and Sequence
Word Study Procedures
Word Study Day by Day Teacher’s Guide / Lesson Plans including independent and small group activities and games.
Word Study Student Sheet
Word Study Homework Agenda
Word Study Parent Letter
Pages 24-25: Answer Key
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