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Chapter 6: Vowel Sounds

Overview

This chapter introduces the vowels (A, E, I, O, U) and their sounds. Children will learn that each vowel makes both a short sound and a long sound, with a focus on short vowel sounds for beginning readers.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, students will be able to:

  • Remember: Name the five vowels
  • Understand: Explain the difference between short and long vowel sounds
  • Apply: Produce short vowel sounds in CVC words

Chapter Summary

Vowels are special letters because every word needs at least one! The five vowels (A, E, I, O, U) each make two main sounds: a short sound and a long sound. Beginning readers start with short vowel sounds, which appear in simple words like "cat," "bed," and "pig."

Concepts Covered (14)

Concept Sound Example
Vowel (concept) Understanding vowels -
Vowels A, E, I, O, U -
Short Vowel Sounds Quick vowel sounds -
Long Vowel Sounds Vowel says its name -
Short A // cat
Short E // bed
Short I /-/ pig
Short O /O/ hot
Short U /m/ cup
Long A // cake
Long E // feet
Long I /+/ bike
Long O /M/ home
Long U /k/ cube

Key Vocabulary

  • Vowel: The letters A, E, I, O, U
  • Short vowel: The quick sound a vowel makes
  • Long vowel: When a vowel says its name

Activities

  1. Vowel Song: Learn a song about the five vowels
  2. Short Vowel Pictures: Sort pictures by short vowel sound
  3. Vowel Hand Motions: Use hand signals for each vowel sound
  4. Middle Sound: Identify the vowel sound in the middle of CVC words

Prerequisites

Next Chapter

Chapter 7: Connecting Letters and Sounds