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Vowel Choices

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Vowel choices

Do you know your vowels?

a e i o u

Which consonant sometimes acts as a vowel?

y as a vowel as a consonant

sky myth ferry yawn yellow

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Vowels

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Long and short vowels

In different situations and combinations, vowels make different sounds. Compare the sound of the short and long vowels.

Long vowels Short vowels

rate

kite

these

close

muse

rat

kit

ten

cot

bus

Note how the sound of the vowel is the same as the name of the letter.

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Long and short vowels

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Long ‘a’ sounds

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There are other ways to create a long ‘a’ sound. Can you think of any? Here are some clues:

break grey

Long ‘a’ sounds

Can you think of any other words with ea or ey letter combinations?

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Long ‘a’ sounds

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Long ‘e’ sounds

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Long ‘i’ sound

Look at these examples. Can you find any more words to add?

i_e

time

line

y

sky

try

igh

light

sigh

ie

tie

pie

Are there any other ways to spell this sound?

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Long ‘o’ and long ‘u’ sounds

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Activity

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Unstressed vowels

Some vowels are difficult to hear clearly as they are spoken quickly or quietly.

For example: generous; literature; miserable.

Which of the vowels in these words might be difficult to hear?

definitelyfamilylotteryWednesdaystationery

definitelyfamilylotteryWednesdaystationery

You will have to try and remember how to spell these words.

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Unstressed vowels

Decide which of the words in these sentences are missing vowels, and which vowels they are missing.

I defnitely want to study mathmatics not litrature at university.I definitely want to study mathematics not literature at university.

We have a famly busness making jewellry.We have a family business making jewellery.

The carpt factry genrally closes on Satdays.The carpet factory generally closes on Saturdays.

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Doubling consonants

The sound of vowels can influence other letters in a word. Look at these examples. What change takes place as an ending is added?

big bigger

dig digging

hit hitting

stop stopped

The final consonant doubles.

This happens

with single syllable words

where there is one short vowel followed by one consonant

when the ending starts with a vowel.

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Doubling consonants

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Look at these examples. Why does the final consonant not double?

brush brushing

peel peeling

love loving

gut gutless

Ends with more than one consonant

More than one vowel, making a long vowel sound.

The ending begins with a consonant.

This word ends with a vowel.

Doubling consonants

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Activity

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The soft c

The vowel that comes after c decides how the word sounds.

Look at the word circuit.

soft c hard c

Complete the activity on the next slide. Say the words aloud to hear how they sound. Can you spot any patterns?

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The soft c

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The soft c

Did you notice any rules?

Do sounds beginning with ci use a soft c or a hard c?For example: cinnamon, citizen, circle.

What other letters make a soft c sound?

ce For example: celery, centimetre, centipede.

cy For example: cycle, cylinder, mercy.

ca, co and cu make a hard sound.For example, cardigan, coat, curtain.