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When you teach reading and spelling, it’s a good idea to have a general overview of long vowel sounds. Let’s dive in!
A long vowel is a vowel that is pronounced the same as its name. For example, the word emu starts with the long E sound.
Seems pretty simple, right? But did you know that long vowel sounds can be spelled four different ways and that each way follows a specific spelling pattern?
The overview that follows will help you see the big picture about long vowel sounds as you teach reading and spelling. Read on to discover these useful patterns!
A vowel at the end of a syllable can be long.
In the word we, as in We love emus, the vowel E is at the end of the syllable and says long E. In these words, the vowel at the end of a syllable is long: hero, hi, music.
Silent E can make the previous vowel long.
In the word cute, as in Emus are cute, the long U sound is formed by adding Silent E at the end of the word. Here are more words in which Silent E makes the previous vowel long: tape, shine, code.
Vowel teams can make long vowel sounds.
Vowel teams are two vowels that work together to make one sound. For example, in the word eat, as in Emus eat seeds, vowel team EA says long E. These words have vowel teams that make a long vowel sound: mail, sheep, soap.
I or O can be long when they come before two consonants.
In the word stroll, as in The emu went for a stroll, the letter O comes before two consonants and says its long vowel sound. In these words, I or O are long before two consonants: kind, gold, child.
So there you go—the four basic patterns for spelling long vowel sounds!
The chart below illustrates the most common ways to spell the long vowel sounds.
Seeing these spellings all gathered in one place is enlightening for those of us who are already proficient readers and spellers. But I would only recommend using the chart for reference, or with an older student who has already mastered most of these phonograms. I would not recommend overwhelming a beginning student by teaching these spellings all at once. Instead, teach these basic patterns to students incrementally, one at a time.
Are you interested in seeing how we teach the four long vowel patterns in All About Reading and All About Spelling? Here is a sampling for you to download and enjoy!
Download “Be a Hero” Activity
(Vowel at the end of a syllable)
Download “Kit or Kite?” Activity
(Silent E)
Download “Wake Up the Sheep” Activity
(Vowel Teams)
Download “Find Gold” Activity
(I and O are long before two consonants)
When it comes to teaching long vowel sounds, here’s what you need to keep in mind:
All About Reading and All About Spelling walk you and your student through all the steps needed to help your student learn to read and spell. The programs are multisensory, motivating, and complete with everything you need. And if you ever need a helping hand, we’re here for you.
What’s your take on teaching the long vowel sounds? Do you have anything else to share? Let me know in the comments below!
Looking for information on short vowels? Check out our Handy Guide to Short Vowel Sounds!
Kits
says:Thanks!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Kits!
Cherry
says:How can I help a grade 5 student who can read and comprehends well but spelling is a challenge. This is causing him to be frustrated.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceCherry,
All About Spelling is just the think in this situation! Too many other options combine foundational spelling skills with reading instruction, but your student doesn’t need that. He just needs to work on spelling.
Here are some ways that All About Spelling can help students who struggled with spelling:
– Each lesson time is simple and explicit and will include 3 simple steps: the review of what was learned the day before, a simple new teaching, and a short practice of that new teaching.
– Incremental lessons. All About Spelling breaks every teaching down into its most basic steps and then teach the lessons in a logical order, carrying students from one concept or skill to the next. Each step builds on what the student has already mastered.
– AAS is multisensory. Research has shown that when a child is taught through all three pathways at the same time, a method known as simultaneous multisensory instruction, he will learn significantly more than when taught only through his strongest pathway.
– AAS uses specially color-coded letter tiles. Working with the letter tiles can make the difference between understanding or not understanding a concept.
– AAS is scripted so you can concentrate on your child. The script is very clear, without excess verbiage.
– AAS has built-in review in every lesson. Children that struggle generally need lots of review in order to retain concepts. With AAS, your child will have a Review Box so you can customize the review. This way, you can concentrate on just the things that your child needs help with, with no time wasted on reviewing things that your child already knows.
– All About Spelling has a gradual progression for increasing the student’s stamina and fluency in writing, from words and short phrases in Level 1, to phrases and short sentences in Level 2, to 12 dictation sentences per step in Level 3. Partway through Level 3, the Writing Station activity is introduced. In this exercise, students write sentences of their own that they make up using some of their spelling words. In this way students have begun to use words in a more real-world context through dictation and writing, to help them transition to longer writing assignments.
All About Spelling has a one-year guarantee. You can try it, and if for any reason you feel that it isn’t the right match for your child, return it for a full refund.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have additional questions.
Misti Kester
says:Love this
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThanks, Misti!
Liddia
says:Love all these activities!! My girls in AAS can use these along with my son in AAR.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Liddia!
Lori T
says:Vowels are definitely what my kiddo struggles with! Not so much reading, but definitely in writing/spelling. Having these rules and examples simply stated will really help her I hope!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceLori,
Vowels can definitely be tricky!
However, for many students, learning all the information on this chart and in this article all at once will make the struggle worse, not better. It overwhelms their funnel, as we explain in our How the “Funnel Concept” Affects Learning article. All About Spelling respects a learner’s funnel by introducing just one concept at a time and allowing plenty of practice and review with it.
Shivani Gaur
says:Hi good morning mam
Can I start thiis class
Robin
says: Customer ServiceShivani,
We do not offer classes. Rather, we offer books and resources for parents, teachers, and tutors to use for teaching students to read and spell. You will find our materials here: All About Learning Press.
Cara
says:Thank you for the great article!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Cara!
Amanda Schumann
says:AAR is four favorite phonics and Reading curriculum.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Amanda!
Sarah
says:Almost ready for AAR level 3!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceWonderful, Sarah!
Holly Brittain
says:This is our favorite program!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceGreat to hear, Holly! Thank you!
Beatriz
says:This was such a helpful article. I loved the activities and the easy to follow breakdown of how to teach this.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceBeatriz,
I’m glad this is helpful!
Joyce
says:Thank you for this! We’re done with AAR 1 and I can’t wait to start with AAR 2! Great program!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceJoyce,
Congratulations on finishing All About Reading Level 1! Great work!
Karena
says:When I hit a roadblock with my second child transitioning from short to long vowels, I knew I had to switch my phonics program. It was only going to cause me and her more frustration to continue. I found All About Reading and haven’t looked back. She loves it and this program gives confidence in reading that our other program did not! Thank you!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceKarena,
Thank you for sharing! It’s great to hear how well that All About Reading is working for your child!
Carol
says:We love AAR and AAS! Thank you!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Carol!
Allyson
says:Working on Level 3 and our kid has learned so much!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceAllyson,
It’s so great to hear that the program is working so well for your child!
Lauren
says:I just purchased all about reading for my 2nd grader who is struggling with reading. Can’t wait to get started!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceWonderful, Lauren! If you have any questions as you get started or need anything, please let me know. I’m happy to help!
Stef
says:Love the methods behind this program!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThanks, Stef!
Tonya
says:We are working on long vowels next. Very informative!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceGlad this is timely for you, Tonya!
Task K
says:Absolutely love this program.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you!
Jordan Gholson
says:I’m so excited to use these programs for my little boy to learn to read and later his siblings. The more I learn about y’all the more I can see how amazing these programs are!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceI love your excitement, Jordan!
Let me know if you have questions about placement or anything else. I’m always happy to help!
Naomi
says:Excited to try this program!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceGreat to hear, Naomi! Do you have any questions about placement or anything else? I’m happy to help!
Liddia
says:I’m so excited about these activities!!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Liddia!
Lauren
says:I’m definitely learning more about reading for myself while I teach it to my child. Appreciate the blog explanation.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceLauren,
I know what you mean!
Karlyn Wildman
says:I’m so excited to try this curriculum!
JS
says:My kids really like the find gold game!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceGlad to hear your kids enjoyed it! Thank you.
Betty Tuohy
says:Wow! You share so information. This just assures me I’m making the right decision.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceBetty,
I’m glad this was helpful for you in making your decision! Let me know if you have questions about placement or anything else. I’m happy to help!
Betty Tuohy
says:I can’t wait to start my grandson on this program.
Leatha Bolinger
says:These materials make an already fun program even more likeable. Thank you!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceAww, thank you, Leatha!
Joanne
says:This was helpful! Love the printable chart.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceGlad it’s helpful, Joanne!
Jessica
says:Very useful! Thank you!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Jessica! Glad it’s useful.
Tori
says:We are slowly working through long vowels and this is so helpful
Robin
says: Customer ServiceI’m glad this is helpful, Tori!