Candy and Cups

Candy and Cups

Posted by Brainspring on 27th Mar 2023

Vowel Intensives are used to practice difficult sounds. It is a mini-review of any miscued sounds in the 3-part drill. (Vowel intensives can also be used when miscues occur in dictation words and sentences.)

*Vowel Intensives are for review only. They are intended for previously taught sounds which still pose difficulties for the students.


The three levels of the Vowel Intensive are:

  • Level One: Pure sounds.

/ă/, /ĕ/, /ĕ/, /ă/, /ă/, /ă/, /ă/, /ĕ/

  • Level Two: Word families.

-at, -ed, -em, -eb, -ack, -am, -ep, -ag

  • Level Three: CVC words and syllables.

fam, nev, feb, mag, bas, neb, gam


Vowel Intensives can be used with any confusing sounds, single consonants, blends, or word families.


Candy and Cups:


Materials: small paper cups labeled with the vowels and a roll of candy (Smarties).


  • Students drop a candy into the cup labeled with the vowel heard.
  • Use any item to drop into the cup (bingo chips, beads, marbles, pennies, etc.)

Written by Ingrid Hartig

Ingrid is an Education Consultant with Brainspring.

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