Word Analysis:
Vowel Digraphs
Introduction:
Students who have learned short vowels and the rule of silent e are ready to learn about the
long vowel letter pattern in words with vowel digraphs. This strategy provides direct
instruction.
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Strategy: Reading Words with Vowel Digraphs
Materials Needed:
TTS-WA-VDi-Reading VDi.pdf
Show the student the Word Cards with boat and leaf.
Say: Here are two words that contain two vowels that follow each other. The first vowel
has a long sound: it says its name. The second vowel is silent.
Point to the word boat.
Say: This word is boat. - What vowel letters do you see in boat?
- Which is the long vowel?
- Which vowel is silent?
If the student does not answer correctly, Say: Say boat. Which vowel do you hear saying its name in boat? (o) Now look at boat. Which vowel is silent? (a) |
Repeat the procedure with the word leaf. Then show the student the Practice Words Card with
vowel digraphs.
Say: Now read these words.
As the student reads, give aid as needed.
After the student has read each group of words, point to the first group.
| Say: | • | What vowel letters do you see in these words? |
| | • | Which letter is the long vowel that said its name in these words? |
| | • | Which vowel is silent? |
Repeat the procedure with each group of words.
On the Student Record Form, record the student’s responses.
If the student was able to read most of the words, show the student the Sentence Card.
Say: These sentences contain many words like those you have been reading. Now read
these sentences.
On the Student Record Form, record the student’s responses.
Interpreting and Using TTS Results:
If students have difficulty reading these words, have them sort word cards containing short
vowels, silent e, and vowel digraphs. Then the words with the long vowel sounds can be sorted
by letter-pattern differences into words with the silent e pattern and words with vowel
digraphs. For words with vowel digraphs, have students identify the vowel that is heard and the
vowel that is silent. For additional practice, have the students search their reading materials for
words with vowel digraphs and copy them.
