Short Vowels: Sounds, Words, & Short Vowel Race Activity

What is a Short Vowel?

Unlike long vowels that sound like the letter's name (such as the 'a' in "cake"), short vowels produce distinct sounds (like the 'a' in "cat"). Short vowels are also called closed syllables because they are "closed in" or followed by a consonant within a syllable. Understanding short vowels is crucial for early reading and spelling development as they form the building blocks for many basic words.

Short Vowels & Their Sounds

• Short 'a': Pronounced as /ă/ (like the 'a' in "bat")
• Short 'e': Pronounced as /ĕ/ (like the 'e' in "bed")
• Short 'i': Pronounced as /ĭ/ (like the 'i' in "sit")
• Short 'o': Pronounced as /ŏ/ or (like the 'o' in "cot")
• Short 'u': Pronounced as /ŭ/ (like the 'u' in "cut")

Short Vowel Word Examples

• Short 'a' Words: Cat, Bat, Hat, Man, Map
• Short 'e' Words: Bed, Red, Pen, Ten, Net
• Short 'i' Words: Sit, Pin, Hit, Kit, Win
• Short 'o' Words: Cot, Hot, Pot, Lot, Fox
• Short 'u' Words: Cut, Sun, Run, Bug, Hut

Short Vowel Activity: Short Vowel Race

Some students have difficulty identifying short vowel sounds and need additional practice. This is a short vowel activity to practice with those sounds.

Materials Needed:

• Short Vowel List
• Short Vowel Race Board (printable version linked below)
• Crayon

Instructions:

It’s a race to the top! Which short vowel sound will win? Below are the instructions for the short vowel race activity:

1. Give each student a crayon and a short vowel race board.
2. Have students cross out the vowel sounds on the board that you're not currently working on.
3. Say a word or pseudoword aloud from the list.
4. Students listen carefully and identify the short vowel sound in the word.
5. Each student colors in one space above the corresponding vowel on their race board.
6. Repeat steps 3–5 with additional words.
7. The first vowel column to have all its sections colored in wins the race!
    

Printable Multisensory Monday - Short Vowel Race Board

Additional Resources:

• Hummingbird Small-Group Set 1
• Hummingbird Single Book Set 1
• Orton Gillingham Vowel Intensive Drill: Examples & More
• Multisensory Monday: Itchy Insects for Short Vowel I
• Skill Intensive with Short Vowels: Card Flip
• Multisensory Monday: Short Vowel Pop Up Tent!
• Multisensory Monday: Short Vowels Craft Sticks

Written by: Jessica LaCroix

Jessica is a certified teacher and mother.

She loves being creative and making learning more engaging for students.

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