The transition from short vowel words to long vowel words can be a tricky one for many kids. And the place to start is SLOW. I like to start with studying one word family at a time {-ake is my favorite}, just like I recommend for short vowels.
If you see that your child is catching on quickly, you can ditch the word family studies and move straight to something that I am doing with my kindergartner, long vowel words with the CVCe pattern.
*This post contains affiliate links.
Building Mats for Long Vowel Words
The mats in this free download {download link at the end of this post} are similar to the free letter building mats and short vowel mats that we have done.
On the download, you’ll find TWO levels of building.
Level 1 is the one that my Kindergartner is currently working through. I like to use our magnetic letters {we have two sets of these} and a cookie sheet, but you could also use letter tiles, letter beads, or
letter stamps. {We used our letter stamps on the 2nd day to get more than one use out of the mats.} Kids can also ditch the manipulatives altogether and simply write the words in the empty space, like NJoy likes to do sometimes.
We have not used the Level 2 Mats just yet, but they provide just the image with no spellings, like Long i one you see above.
More Long Vowel Resources:
- Our Long Vowel Word Study App has interactive word sorts and game-like activities for the CVCe patterns as well as MANY other long vowel patterns. {8 levels in all for only $2.99 on iTunes or Google Play}
- Roll a Long Vowel
- Long Vowel BINGO Games
- Long a Vowel Pack
- Long i Vowel Pack
- Long o Vowel Pack
>>Download these Building Mats for Long Vowel Words HERE.<<
~Becky
Thank you so much for your wonderful resources. They are a time saver and are a hit with the kids over the years.