Let's Learn Short Vowels! A Fun Phonics Adventure

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 2:08 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson uses a fun video to introduce Pre-K students to the concept of short vowels and their sounds.

Video Resource

The Short Vowel Song | Best Phonics

A*List! English Learning Videos for Kids

Duration: 2:08
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Short vowel sounds
  • Letter-sound correspondence
  • Phonological awareness

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the short vowel sounds of 'uh' and 'ih'.
  • Students will be able to associate the sounds 'uh' and 'ih' with example words (e.g., 'sun', 'pin').
  • Students will be able to participate in a group activity to reinforce learning.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Greet students and introduce the topic: learning about short vowel sounds. Explain that they will watch a fun video to help them learn.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the YouTube video 'The Short Vowel Song | Best Phonics'. Encourage students to sing along and pay attention to the different sounds.
  • Sound Review (5 mins)
    After the video, review the short vowel sounds presented. Ask students: 'What sounds did you hear in the video?' Focus on 'uh' and 'ih'. Show flashcards with simple pictures illustrating words with these short vowel sounds (e.g., 'sun', 'pin').
  • Interactive Activity: Sound Sorting (10 mins)
    Prepare two labelled boxes: one for 'uh' and one for 'ih'. Show students a series of picture cards (e.g., cup, pig, bus, fish). Have them say the word on the card and then decide which box the picture belongs in based on the short vowel sound they hear. Guide them as needed.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the short vowel sounds 'uh' and 'ih' one last time. Ask students to give you other examples of words with these sounds.

Interactive Exercises

  • Sound Sorting
    Students sort picture cards into labelled boxes based on the short vowel sound they hear.
  • Sound Matching
    Teacher says a word. Children point to a picture card that matches the short vowel sound (choices: uh sound picture, or ih sound picture).

Discussion Questions

  • What sounds did you hear in the video?
  • Can you think of other words that have the 'uh' sound?
  • Can you think of other words that have the 'ih' sound?

Skills Developed

  • Phonological awareness
  • Letter-sound correspondence
  • Active listening
  • Vocabulary building

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which picture starts with the 'uh' sound like in 'sun'?

Correct Answer: Umbrella

Question 2:

Which word has the 'ih' sound like in 'pin'?

Correct Answer: Big

Question 3:

Which sound does the letter 'u' often make?

Correct Answer: uh

Question 4:

Which sound does the letter 'i' often make?

Correct Answer: ih

Question 5:

The video sang about short vowel sounds. Which of these is a short vowel?

Correct Answer: a

Question 6:

The video sang about short vowel sounds. Which of these is a short vowel?

Correct Answer: e

Question 7:

The video sang about short vowel sounds. Which of these is a short vowel?

Correct Answer: i

Question 8:

The video sang about short vowel sounds. Which of these is a short vowel?

Correct Answer: o

Question 9:

The video sang about short vowel sounds. Which of these is a short vowel?

Correct Answer: u

Question 10:

Which of these starts with the sound 'ih' as in the word 'igloo'?

Correct Answer: Igloo

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The sound 'uh' is in the word s _ n.

Correct Answer: u

Question 2:

The sound 'ih' is in the word p _ n.

Correct Answer: i

Question 3:

The sound 'uh' is in the word c _ p.

Correct Answer: u

Question 4:

The letter 'i' makes the sound ' _ h'.

Correct Answer: ih

Question 5:

The letter 'u' makes the sound ' _ h'.

Correct Answer: uh

Question 6:

A word that has the 'uh' sound is b _ s.

Correct Answer: u

Question 7:

A word that has the 'ih' sound is p _ g.

Correct Answer: i

Question 8:

The opposite of out can start with the sound ' _ h'

Correct Answer: ih

Question 9:

You write with a p _ n

Correct Answer: e

Question 10:

The opposite of cold, the s _ n can make you hot.

Correct Answer: u

Educational Standards

PK.2.PWS.3:Students will produce some sounds represented by letters. PK.2.F.2:Students will chorally recite familiar texts (e.g., rhymes, songs, poetry, etc.). PK.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon rules with prompting. PK.3.R.3:Students will identify characters in a story with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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