Introducing: The MVP of Letters

Vowels are so tricky. But I tell my students they are the MVP of letters. W ltrll cn nt spk wtht thm. Did you catch that? :) We literally cannot speak or write (well) without them. Not only does every word include a vowel, every SYLLABLE includes a vowel. Yes, vowels have serious FOMO. Vowels are even trickier because they do not have an obstruction of the vocal tract to formulate the sound in your mouth. (Translation: kiddos struggle because the sound is not FELT in the mouth as they form it as much as pronouncing a consonant.) I could say so much about this topic, but for today here is an instructional tool I use when first working on distinguishing the different vowel sounds from each other. If you are familiar with the Orton-Gillingham methods, it is similar to the concept of the "vowel tents" to drill the various vowel sounds. However, I find using the Fundations letter-keyword-sound cards help to offer a visual for the students. This way students can self-advocate for themselves by referring to their symbol and picture to hear the sound and self-check if it matches the sound I call out. To begin, start with just the vowel sound in isolation. (Call out /a/ and the student would hold up the corresponding stick with the "a" and picture of the apple.) Then build to using two sounds, (say "ap" have the student identify the vowel sound.) Finally, let them know they are going to be real vowel detectives, they will now have to spot the sneaky vowel in the middle of two sounds (the vowel as a medial sound.) For example, which vowel do you hear in the word "mat"? The student must hear, /m/ /a/ /t/, identify which phoneme is the vowel, and then identify which vowel it is... very tricky! Obviously, this is not an instant process and takes time and practice. Additionally, when first introducing, try to separate /e/ and /i/ short vowel sounds as these are very tricky to distinguish, especially in some dialects. In the south, we say "pin" and "pen" virtually the same way! Be sure to exaggerate when using one of these words! I've included a picture of the vowel sticks I make below.