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Lesson 73

y /ī/

The grapheme Y spells /ī/ at the end of one-syllable words

This is students' initial introduction to Y as a vowel (i.e., /ī/). Y as /ē/ is addressed in Lesson 74.

Today's plan

about 15 min
  1. Step 1Warm up our ears (blend & segment)2 min
  2. Steps 2 & 3Look & Say / Listen & Spell4 min
  3. Step 4Blending drill3 min
  4. Step 5New concept + read/spell6 min
Step 1

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)

/m/ · /ī/my
/f/ · /r/ · /ī/fry

Break it (I say word → you say sounds)

Steps 2 & 3

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.

Step 4

Blending Drill

Change one part at a time and read the new word.

Initial

f p s t b h m g sl tr

Middle

y

Final

+

Step 5

New Concept

Today we learn that Y can spell /ī/ at the end of a one-syllable word, like in my.

Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.

This is the letter Y. We have learned the consonant sound for Y, /y/, like at the beginning of the words and . Y can also have a vowel sound. When the letter Y comes at the end of a one-syllable word, it spells /ī/ like at the end of the word . The letter Y only spells /ī/ at the end of words, such as the words and .

Y as a vowel

When Y comes at the end of a one-syllable word, it spells /ī/, like at the end of the words and .

How our mouth moves

Remember, to make the long /ī/ sound, our mouth muscles are tighter or more tense. Watch me /ī/. You try /ī/.

Sound wall

Add 'y' under /ī/ picture card (with 'i_e' and 'i').

Open the digital sound wall →