Lesson 41
Short Vowels Review
Review all five short vowels /ă/, /ĭ/, /ŏ/, /ŭ/, /ĕ/, including in words with consonant clusters
There are three options for mixed review of short vowels: (1) mixed review of short vowel sounds in CVC words, (2) mixed review of short vowel sounds in words with beginning or ending consonant clusters, and (3) mixed review of short vowel sounds in words with beginning and ending consonant clusters and words with three letter consonant clusters. Select whichever lesson or combination of lessons meets the needs of your students. For more practice and word lists for each short vowel, see the individual short vowel review lessons.
Today's plan
about 15 min- Step 1Warm up our ears (blend & segment)2 min
- Steps 2 & 3Look & Say / Listen & Spell4 min
- Step 4Blending drill3 min
- Step 5New concept + read/spell6 min
Warm Up Our Ears
Say the sounds; students blend them into a word. Then say a word; students break it apart.
Blend it (teacher says sounds → you say word)
Break it (I say word → you say sounds)
Flashcard Drills
Full-screen cards for the class. Tap a card to check the answer, or press Hear the words to hear the example words read aloud.
Blending Drill
Change one part at a time and read the new word.
Initial
b d g h m
Middle
a i o
Final
n p t
+
cl fl sl sp sk sn st
New Concept
Today we review words with all five short vowels, including words with beginning and ending consonant clusters like trust, spent, and split.
Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.
Today we will review short vowels. Remember, our mouth muscles are looser, or more relaxed, when we make short vowel sounds: /ă/, /ĭ/, /ŏ/, /ŭ/, /ĕ/. The short vowel A spells /ă/ like in the beginning of the word . A can come in the middle of a word, like cat and map, or at the beginning of a word, like at and as. am, an: When A comes before the consonants M and N, the sound changes, like in the words , , , can. The short vowel I spells /ĭ/ like in the beginning of the word . I can come in the middle of a word, like sit and big, or at the beginning of a word, like is and in. The short vowel O spells /ŏ/ like in the beginning of the word . O can come in the middle of a word, like hot and mop, or at the beginning of a word, like on and ox. The short vowel U spells /ŭ/ like in the beginning of the word . U can come in the middle of a word, like cut and run, or at the beginning of a word, like up and us. The short vowel E spells /ĕ/ like in the beginning of the word . E can come in the middle of a word, like men and get, or at the beginning of a word, like elf and end. To read longer words with short vowels, we still say each sound, even in words with beginning and ending consonant clusters and three-letter consonant clusters.
a /ă/
Short A spells /ă/ like at the beginning of apple. It can come in the middle of a word, like clap and glad, or at the beginning of a word, like ask and as. am, an: When A comes before M and N, the sound changes, like in slam, clam, and land.
i /ĭ/
Short I spells /ĭ/ like at the beginning of itch. It can come in the middle of a word, like swift and crisp, or at the beginning of a word, like is and in.
o /ŏ/
Short O spells /ŏ/ like at the beginning of octopus. It can come in the middle of a word, like frost and stomp, or at the beginning of a word, like on and ox.
u /ŭ/
Short U spells /ŭ/ like at the beginning of up. It can come in the middle of a word, like trust and slump, or at the beginning of a word, like up and us.
e /ĕ/
Short E spells /ĕ/ like at the beginning of edge. It can come in the middle of a word, like spent and blend, or at the beginning of a word, like elf and end.
Longer words
To read even longer words with short vowels, we still say each sound, like in trust, spent, and split.
How our mouth moves
Review articulatory gestures for /ă/, /ĭ/, /ŏ/, /ŭ/, and /ĕ/, as needed.
Sound wall
Refer to the /ă/, /ĭ/, /ŏ/, /ŭ/, and /ĕ/ picture cards on the vowel valley. Add grapheme cards if not already displayed. Practice letter formation, as needed.
Open the digital sound wall →