Unlocking the U Sounds: Short U and Long U Fun!

English Language Arts Grades Kindergarten 11:13 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's explore the letter U and discover its two sounds: short U (like in 'sun') and long U (like in 'music')! This lesson uses a fun video and activities to help you learn.

Video Resource

Short U and Long U Sounds - Learning to Read for Kids!

Miacademy Learning Channel

Duration: 11:13
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Short U sound (like in 'up')
  • Long U sound (like in 'use')
  • Vowels can make different sounds

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and pronounce the short U sound in words.
  • Students will be able to identify and pronounce the long U sound in words.
  • Students will be able to differentiate between the short and long U sounds in spoken words.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know the letter 'U'. Ask them if they know any words that start with the letter 'U'. Tell them today we are going to learn about the two sounds that 'U' makes.
  • Video Time (7 mins)
    Play the 'Short U and Long U Sounds - Learning to Read for Kids!' video from Miacademy Learning Channel. Encourage students to watch and listen carefully.
  • Sound Exploration (10 mins)
    After the video, review the short and long U sounds. Model each sound clearly. Have students repeat after you. Use hand motions to represent each sound (e.g., chin drop for short U, smile then forward lips for long U).
  • Word Sorting (10 mins)
    Present a list of words (e.g., sun, use, up, music, cub, cute). Say each word aloud and have students identify whether it has a short U or a long U sound. Create two columns on the board, one for short U and one for long U, and write the words in the appropriate columns.
  • Sound Hunt (8 mins)
    Read a short story or poem aloud that contains several words with both short and long U sounds. Have students raise their hands when they hear a word with either sound. Pause and ask them to identify the sound (short or long).
  • Wrap-up & Assessment (5 mins)
    Quickly review the short and long U sounds. Administer a short quiz (verbal or worksheet) to assess student understanding.

Interactive Exercises

  • U Sound Charades
    Act out words with short and long U sounds. For example, for 'sun,' pretend to be hot. For 'music,' pretend to play an instrument. Students guess the word and identify the U sound.
  • U Sound Bingo
    Create bingo cards with pictures of objects that have short and long U sounds. Call out the words, and have students mark the pictures on their cards. The first to get bingo wins!

Discussion Questions

  • What does your mouth do when you make the short 'U' sound?
  • What does your mouth do when you make the long 'U' sound?
  • Can you think of other words that have the short 'U' sound?
  • Can you think of other words that have the long 'U' sound?
  • Why is it important to know about the short and long U sounds?

Skills Developed

  • Phonemic Awareness
  • Auditory Discrimination
  • Vocabulary Development

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which picture has the short 'U' sound like in 'up'?

Correct Answer: Sun

Question 2:

Which word has the long 'U' sound like in 'music'?

Correct Answer: Huge

Question 3:

If you feel glum, do you feel...?

Correct Answer: Sad

Question 4:

Which of these words starts with a 'U' sound?

Correct Answer: Umbrella

Question 5:

What sound does 'U' make in the word 'truck'?

Correct Answer: Short U

Question 6:

Which picture shows something that has the long U sound?

Correct Answer: Mule

Question 7:

The word 'hug' has the...

Correct Answer: Short U Sound

Question 8:

Which of these words does NOT have a 'U' in it?

Correct Answer: Bag

Question 9:

What kind of sound does the letter 'U' make in the word 'cute'?

Correct Answer: Long sound

Question 10:

Can the letter 'U' make more than one sound?

Correct Answer: Yes

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The short 'U' sound is like in the word s _ n.

Correct Answer: u

Question 2:

The long 'U' sound is like in the word c _ te.

Correct Answer: u

Question 3:

If you have an __mbrella it can keep you dry.

Correct Answer: u

Question 4:

Another word for sad is gl__m.

Correct Answer: u

Question 5:

When the sun is __p, you feel happy.

Correct Answer: u

Question 6:

A word that rhymes with 'fun' and has the short U sound is r__n.

Correct Answer: u

Question 7:

M__sic can cheer you up!

Correct Answer: u

Question 8:

When you g__m something, you stick it to the sole of your shoe!

Correct Answer: u

Question 9:

The opposite of 'down' is __p.

Correct Answer: u

Question 10:

A b__s takes kids to school.

Correct Answer: u

Educational Standards

K.2.PWS.3:Students will produce the sounds for short and long vowels and the most common sound for consonants (e.g., a = /ă/ & /ā/, f = /f/, s = /s/, x = /ks/). K.2.PA.3:Students will isolate and pronounce initial and final sounds in spoken words. K.2.PA.6:Students will blend phonemes to form one-syllable spoken words with 2-4 phonemes (e.g., /f/ /l/ /a/ /t/= flat). K.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon discussion rules with prompting. K.1.S.3:Students will ask and answer relevant questions with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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