Exploring the Sounds of 'E': Long E and Short E

English Language Arts Grades Kindergarten 11:33 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson introduces kindergarten students to the long and short sounds of the letter E through engaging activities and examples. Students will learn to differentiate between the two sounds and identify words that use them.

Video Resource

Short E and Long E Sounds – Learning to Read For Kids

Miacademy Learning Channel

Duration: 11:33
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Long E sound (E)
  • Short E sound (E)
  • Vowel sounds
  • Sound isolation in words

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and pronounce the long E sound.
  • Students will be able to identify and pronounce the short E sound.
  • Students will be able to differentiate between words with long E and short E sounds.
  • Students will be able to provide examples of words with long and short E sounds.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they know about the letter 'E'. Introduce the idea that 'E' can make different sounds, just like in the video. Briefly discuss the video and the 'soup' scenario.
  • Long E Sound (10 mins)
    Show the video clip explaining the long E sound. Emphasize the mouth shape (smiling like saying 'cheese'). Practice saying 'E' (long E). Provide examples from the video: 'cheese,' 'eagle,' 'eel,' 'tree,' 'bee,' 'deer.' Have students repeat the words and identify the long E sound.
  • Short E Sound (10 mins)
    Show the video clip explaining the short E sound. Demonstrate the mouth shape (slightly open). Practice saying 'E' (short E). Provide examples from the video: 'eggs,' 'elephant,' 'chef,' 'bread,' 'desk,' 'sled,' 'tent,' 'well,' 'bell,' 'vest'. Have students repeat the words and identify the short E sound.
  • Sound Comparison (10 mins)
    Review the long and short E sounds. Use visual aids (pictures) of words with each sound. Have students say the words and identify whether they hear a long E or short E. Play a quick game where you say a word, and students raise their hands if they hear a long E or touch their toes if they hear a short E.
  • Activity: Word Sort (10 mins)
    Provide students with a worksheet containing pictures of words with long and short E sounds (e.g., 'tree,' 'bed,' 'sheep,' 'hen'). Have them sort the pictures into two columns: 'Long E' and 'Short E'. Assist as needed.
  • Conclusion (5 mins)
    Review the main points of the lesson. Ask students to share their favorite word with either long E or short E. Reiterate the importance of listening carefully to sounds when learning to read.

Interactive Exercises

  • Sound Identification Game
    Teacher says a word (e.g., 'feet,' 'pen'). Students respond with 'Long E' or 'Short E'.
  • Picture Sort
    Students sort picture cards representing words with long E and short E sounds into appropriate categories.

Discussion Questions

  • Can you think of other words that have the long E sound?
  • Can you think of other words that have the short E sound?
  • Why is it important to know the different sounds letters can make?
  • Can you describe how your mouth looks when you say the long E sound? How about the short E sound?

Skills Developed

  • Phonemic awareness
  • Auditory discrimination
  • Vocabulary development
  • Following directions

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which picture shows a word with a long E sound?

Correct Answer: Tree

Question 2:

Which word has a short E sound?

Correct Answer: Egg

Question 3:

What sound does the letter E make in the word 'cheese'?

Correct Answer: Long E

Question 4:

Which of these words has the long E sound?

Correct Answer: Feet

Question 5:

Which of these words has the short E sound?

Correct Answer: Bell

Question 6:

Which picture shows a word with a short E sound?

Correct Answer: Ten

Question 7:

Is the E in 'eagle' a long E or a short E?

Correct Answer: Long E

Question 8:

The word 'bread' has what kind of E sound?

Correct Answer: Short E

Question 9:

Which word sounds like you are smiling for the camera (long E)?

Correct Answer: Cheese

Question 10:

Which word has a short 'e' like in 'egg'?

Correct Answer: Bed

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The long E sounds like you are saying _________ for the camera.

Correct Answer: cheese

Question 2:

The word 'b____d' has a short E sound.

Correct Answer: e

Question 3:

The word 'tr_____' has a long E sound.

Correct Answer: ee

Question 4:

'E____gle' starts with a long E sound.

Correct Answer: a

Question 5:

T____n is a word with the short E sound.

Correct Answer: e

Question 6:

You hear a long E in the word 'sh_____p'.

Correct Answer: ee

Question 7:

The short E sound is in the word 'p_____n'.

Correct Answer: e

Question 8:

The word '____gg' has a short E sound at the beginning.

Correct Answer: e

Question 9:

The long E sound makes you open your mouth like you are saying 'ch____se'.

Correct Answer: ee

Question 10:

The sound in 'w____ll' is a short 'e'.

Correct Answer: e

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.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon discussion rules with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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