Lesson 84
ai, ay /ā/
The graphemes AI and AY spell /ā/
AI spells /ā/ at the beginning or middle of a syllable or word. AY spells /ā/ at the end of a syllable or word. We have already learned that A spells /ā/ in silent E words like cake and in open syllables like /bā/ in baby.
Today's plan
about 20 min- Step 1Warm up our ears (blend & segment)2 min
- Steps 2 & 3Look & Say / Listen & Spell4 min
- Step 4Blending drill3 min
- Step 5New concept6 min
- Step 5Read & spell the new words5 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)
Sound 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.
👂 Listen & Spell — teacher list (1 sounds)
Say each sound; students write the spelling(s). Read straight from this list.
- /ā/a_e, a (as in table), ai (as in rain), ay (as in play) · rain
Blending Drill
Change one part at a time and read the new word.
Initial
b g m p s t
Middle
ai
ay
Final
l n d t
+
New Concept
Today we learn two new ways to spell the long A sound: AI and AY.
Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.
The long A sound is /ā/ as in . Today we will learn new ways to spell the long A sound. We have already learned that A spells /ā/ in silent E words like cake. We have also learned that A spells /ā/ in open syllables like /bā/ in baby. Vowel teams are two or more letters that work together to make one vowel sound.
ai /ā/
The vowel team AI spells /ā/. AI usually comes in the middle of a word, like in bait and mail. AI sometimes comes at the beginning of a word, like in aim and aid.
ay /ā/
The vowel team AY also spells /ā/. AY always comes at the end of a word, like in may and day.
How our mouth moves
Remember, when our mouth muscles are tighter or more tense, we make long vowel sounds. Like all vowels, /ā/ is a continuous sound that can be stretched out (use continuous hand motion). Be sure your voice is on. Watch me /ā/. You try /ā/.
Read & Spell
Read — I do
Read — We do
Spell — I do
Spell — We do