Lesson Plan : Short-Vowel Sounds
Teacher Name: | Ms.Riley |
Grade: | Grade 2 |
Subject: | Language Arts |
Topic: | Between the Lions: Exploring Short-Vowel Sounds |
Content: | |
Goals: | |
Objectives: | Review the short sounds of a, e, i, o, and u previously discussed in class Read and be able to identify words that have short-vowel sounds |
Materials: | Computers with Internet and printer access Paper and crayons Taped episode of "Between the Lions" Television and VCR |
Introduction: | Arrange for use of a television to watch an episode of "Between the Lions." If desired, record the episode and show the program using a television and VCR so that you may periodically pause and discuss the show with your students. To find the "Between the Lions" airtime in your local area, go to PBS Kids: In Your Town. 2. Schedule two 45-minute sessions in the computer lab. Make sure that all computers have the necessary plug-ins (e.g., QuickTime, Real Player, Shockwave) to view the video clips and interactive activities on the site. You may also want to preview the "Between the Lions" website to ensure that this graphic-intensive site will show up well on your school's computers. 3. You may choose to schedule an additional 45-minute session in the computer lab for the sole purpose of familiarizing students with how to navigate the "Between the Lions" website. As part of this introductory instruction, direct students' attention to the words in the menu at the top of the homepage (e.g., Stories, Games, Songs, Things to Print). Have students click on each menu option and explore the various sections of the site with you. Show students how to use the browser's back button to return to the previous page and how to double click to select an item. Projecting the website on a large screen for students to see is desirable, as student can watch as you navigate the website and follow along at their own workstation. |
Development: | Have students watch an episode of "Between the Lions" on PBS. Ask them if they have ever watched this television program before. Discuss the skill that was presented in that day's episode. 2. After watching, explain to students that "Between the Lions" also has a website with many fun activities. Tell them that they will be reviewing the short-vowel sounds and practicing their knowledge of the vowel sounds using games and activities on the website. |
Practice: | Ask students to name the vowels they know as you write them on the chalkboard. Explain that each vowel makes a short sound where the letter makes a specific sound, such as /a/ in cap, /e/ in pet, /i/ in lip, /o/ in pot, and /u/ in sun. Ask students to name other words that contain each of the short-vowel sounds. Write these words on the chalkboard in groups, according to the vowel sound. |
Accommodations: | |
Checking For Understanding: | Allow students to further review short-vowel sounds by playing a printable matching game offered on the "Between the Lions" website. To access the game, click on "Things to Print" at the top of the screen. Scroll down to "Games You'll Only Find Here" and click on "matching." Choose "Short vowels (trios)" on the left. A page of short-vowel word cards will appear. Print the page and cut apart the cards. To play, shuffle the cards and turn them facedown on a desk or table. The first student turns over three cards. If all three cards have the same short-vowel sound, the student keeps the cards. If the cards do not have the same vowel sound, they are turned facedown again and another player takes a turn. |
Closure: | Culminate the lesson by presenting each student with an award from the "Between the Lions" website. Click on "Things to Print" at the top of the screen. Scroll down to "Miscellaneous" and click on "printable certificates." Print the desired number of certificates and personalize them for each student. |
Evaluation: | Duplicate copies of the Picture Cards and prepare them as flashcards. Display the cards and ask the student to name the vowel in the picture and its short sound. The student should identify whether the vowel sound is at the beginning or middle of the word. Ask the student to name a word that contains each short-vowel sound. Have small groups of students play the offline version of the Chicken Stacker game (see instructions in Extensions). Observe while students play the game to assess their knowledge of short-vowel sounds. |
Teacher Reflections: | Review the drawing that represents the students' favorite short-vowel sound. Compile students' drawings into a class book and encourage students to read the book from time to time to track reading improvement. |
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