Short Vowels: Sounds, Words, & 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 Words

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 Race Activity

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

Materials:

• Short Vowel List
• Short Vowel Race Board
• Crayon

It’s a race to the top! Which short vowel sound will win? The teacher will provide each student with a crayon and the short vowel race board (you can cross out the vowel sounds you are not currently working with). The teacher says one of the words or pseudowords from the list. The student listens for the vowel sound and colors in a spot above that letter. The first vowel to have all sections colored in is the winner of the race. 

Printable Multisensory Monday - Short Vowel Race Board

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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