Lesson 94
ea /ĕ/, a /ŏ/
The grapheme EA can spell /ĕ/; the grapheme A can spell /ŏ/
EA as long /ē/ was introduced in Lesson 85. The pronunciation of EA as /ĕ/ is not very common — it only happens in a few words. Similarly, the grapheme A commonly represents the short /ŏ/ sound after W, but the pronunciation varies considerably by region. Consider the pronunciations most common in your area when teaching this grapheme-phoneme correspondence.
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
c dr f p r y
Middle
au aw
ai
Final
n se t
+
New Concept
Today we learn that EA can spell /ĕ/ like in head and A can spell /ŏ/ like in watch.
Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.
Today we will learn different ways to spell some short vowel sounds. EA /ĕ/: We know EA spells /ē/ like in mean and team. In some words, EA spells /ĕ/ like head. Some words with EA that spell /ĕ/ are head, dead, read, thread, and bread. A /ŏ/: Because pronunciation varies considerably by region, adjust this introduction as needed. In a few words, A makes the /ŏ/ sound. This usually happens when A follows W. Some words like this are watch, water, father, wash, and swamp.
ea /ĕ/
In some words, EA spells /ĕ/ like in head, dead, read, thread, and bread.
a /ŏ/
In a few words, A follows W and makes the /ŏ/ sound, such as , , , swamp.
How our mouth moves
Like all vowels, /ĕ/ and /ŏ/ are continuous sounds that can be stretched out (use continuous hand motion). Your voice is on. Watch me /ĕ/. You try /ĕ/. Watch me /ŏ/. You try /ŏ/.