ELA Small Group 1/14/21

The letters “a,” “e,” “i,” “o” and “u” are called vowels. They are open sounds. When you say them, they do not make your lips, tongue or teeth touch. Almost all of the words in the English language contain at least one vowel. Sometimes the letter “y” acts like a vowel. For example, the words “sky” and “by” have a “y” instead of a vowel. Which of these words do not include a vowel?

• cat

• wet

• shhhh

• boy

All of the letters of the alphabet that are not vowels are called consonants. Vowels separate the consonant sounds in words. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to pronounce the word. For example, think of the word “box.” Without a vowel, the word would be “bx.”

A syllable is a part of a word that has one vowel sound. The word “dog” has one vowel sound, so it has one syllable. The word “puppy” has two vowel sounds, so it has two syllables. Which word has two syllables?

• cat

• kitten

• bird

• alligator

Vowels are sometimes pronounced, or said, with “short” sounds. The short sound for “a” is aa, like in “hat.” The short sound for “e” is eh, like in “help.” The short sound for “i” is ih, like in “tip.” The short sound for “o” is ah, like in “hot.” The short sound for “u” is uh, like in “up.”

There are some clues that a vowel might be short. If the word has a consonant-vowel-consonant, like “cat” or “pet,” the vowel is probably short. If a word starts with a vowel and there are no more vowels in the word, the vowel is probably short. Examples include “egg,” “ill” and “um.” These clues don’t always work, though. When you see a word you don’t know, try the short sound first. If that doesn’t sound right, try the long sound. Sometimes it’s easier to hear what is right. When a word starts with a vowel and has no other vowels, the vowel is______ .

• probably long

• probably short

• definitely short

• definitely long

Vowels sometimes have “long” sounds. An easy way to remember the long sounds: they say their own names. The long “a” sound is ay, like in “make.” The long “e” sound is ee, like in “equal.” The long “i” sound is ai, like in “nice.” The long “o” sound is oh, as in “open.” The long “u” sound is yoo, like in “use.”

One clue that a vowel is “long” is when the word has one syllable and ends in a silent “e.” For example, “race,” “cute” and “bite” all have long vowels. Remember that this clue is not always right. It’s important to try pronouncing words you don’t know in different ways. Which word has a long vowel sound?

• note

• help

• pack

• mat

The letters “a,” “e,” “i,” “o” and “u” are called

• consonants

• vowels

• alphabet

True or False: Most English words have at least one vowel.

• True

• False

Which of these has a long 'a' sound?

• cake

• bat

• apple

• sat

Which of these has a long “e” sound?

• egg

• pet

• Pete

• elephant

Which of these has a short “i” sound?

• pig

• rice

• ice cream

Which of these has a long “o” sound?

• coffee

• rose

• box

• not