Solutions for Vowel Confusion
Many students have difficulties understanding and using vowel sounds appropriately. The
word "bait" may be read "bat," or the word "met" may be read "meat." You may have a
Struggling Reader that decodes (sounds out words) in a similar fashion.
You can improve your child's reading with some fun strategies, but first a little
background.
Background:
Rimes are letter patterns or word families.
am - jam, ram, Sam
ack - back, pack, lack
ail - tail, bail, jail
eep - jeep, keep, weep
Rhymes are sounds in words that are the same, but may not be spelled the same.
there, bare, fair
wait, late, freight
To help children recognize patterns in words, try color-coding, writing stories and/or hand
movements. When organizing this activity, create your own stories, follow the colors and
make up hand movements to enhance letter and sound recognition.
Vowel Confusion Lesson Activity:
Materials:
48 index cards
a list of 24 short vowel rimes - listed below
a list of 24 long vowel rimes - listed below
1. Write one rime on each index card - following the color-coded system - all short vowels
are blue, all long vowels are pink. The child should help with writing the words if able.
2. Mix the cards up
3. Have your child read and sort the cards into two piles...one pile containing short vowels,
the other one with long vowels. When your child is successful at saying and sorting the
cards correctly, try adding steps 4 and 5.
4. Place the index cards in rows of 5 across and 5 down.
5. Have your child read the cards in a sweeping motion from left to right (as we read.) This
helps with decoding, directionality and fluency.
Hints:
Color-coding is used as a visual for an abstract concept. Visually seeing the
difference between vowel sounds will help your child differentiate the two concepts being
taught.
Many students do not stop to think about what word pops out of their mind and
mouth. Part of the goal is to get our students to stop and think before they say the
word. The above lesson will help your child to stop and think as they sort and read each
card.
This activity also helps a child decode (sound out) unfamiliar words by learning
letter patters instead of just memorizing words.
Many students have an ability to read familiar words, but unfamiliar words become
difficult. Learning and applying letter patterns is critical to successful reading.
While engaged in this sorting activity, many students can eventually get the word
right, if they guess enough. To reduce guessing you may want to try a reward system when
the child says the word correctly the first time. For example, if the child stops and thinks,
then says the word correctly on the first attempt, the child will get a tally mark. Five tally
marks could earn a sticker. Thirty stickers might earn a prize.
Motivation is often the key!! Have fun with this activity!
Short Vowel Rimes
ad
im
op
aft
ond
elt
ock
unk
ish
iff
ush
ick
esk
int
elp
omp
Long Vowel Rimes
eed
oat
aim
eap
uit
eath
oaf
ight
oam
aid
eak
eeth
oad
aif
eak
eep
Adapted from
http://solutionsforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/