R-Controlled Vowels
For this example, I am showing you how to teach more than one spelling pattern in a single lesson. This example uses R-Controlled vowels, but you can adapt this for almost any lesson where you are targeting a concept that uses a subset of words (short vowels, long vowels, the sounds of Y, etc)
Start with the Basics
I start by introducing the sounds. I have created a temporary “anchor chart” for the spelling patterns we’re working with.
Depending on the student, I either provide the keyword or they choose one from a list or from their imaginations.
We will write the keyword for each spelling. Sometimes we will draw a picture to further anchor the different spelling patterns. Here, the student has drawn a picture of something that is memorable.
Next we create a keyword sentence. This sentence is what we will use anytime we review R-Controlled Vowels, and I want it to be short and memorable and contain one of each of the target spellings.
This student used the anchor words for his keyword sentence.
For example, if we were practicing long O spellings, I would want it to have one word from each spelling pattern- open syllable o, oa, ow, o silent e and oe.
There are multiple word lists online. Find one you like and print it out!
Finally, we will do something with the spelling patterns we’ve learned!
Some examples are roll-and-move games, memory match, silly sentences and go fish.
When we review this concept later, I will bring back the Keyword Sentence that the student has created.
Some students are happy to write it, or to have you write it and seek out and underline the spelling patterns they need. Other students will need it to look more like a game or activity.
For referencing student materials, I prefer to use an app called Bublup. I can save images and notes on my phone to reference for notes, lesson planning, and on the fly when a student has a questions.
