Are you looking to increase your Kindergarten or 1st graders fluency when reading Short Vowel CVC Words?
After looking at Dibels data, it was clear a group of students needed help with reading real and nonsense short vowel words. Here are some simple centers I used to give them a lot of fun and meaningful practice reading CVC words.
Introduce Vocabulary
Starting with vocabulary introduction is so important. While it seems obvious when working with English Language Learners, everyone can benefit from the few minutes you take to make sure all the words mean something to them. Not every 5 or 6 year old knows what wax is or what the difference between a hat and a cap might be.
Simple Interactive Strategy:
Give each child a word and have them match it to a picture up on the pocket chart. Start with the obvious words and discuss any pictures that may be challenging.
I keep my words organized in these little pockets.
Move Towards Independence with Centers
Short Vowel Center 1: Pocket Chart Sort
Once the students were able to do the sort with me, it turned into two centers. At one center they completed the sort in the pocket charts. I loved watching them take on the roll of the teacher and student handing out cards, reading, and helping one another. They really are little sponges. I’d even hear them repeating sentences I had used, “The peas are in a pod.”
Short Vowel Center 2: Cut and Match
The second center was independent practice where they’d cut out the words and match them to the pictures.
Short Vowel Center 3: Short Vowel Match and Bump
Learning to read can be so fun, especially with games.
The same words I’d introduced were also in another center. This time students could read the words and place a marker on top of the picture that matches. With my Kinders, we just placed markers. With my first graders, we played BUMP because it is one of their favorite games.
Short Vowel Center 4: Letter Tiles
Students had a vowel sheet and place letter tiles on top to make a word. This can be used with real words and nonsense words.
Short Vowel Center 5: Letter Dice
I put some small stickers on blank dice and wrote consonants on them. The kids rolled and made words. Then they decided if they were real or nonsense and recorded them.
Short Vowel Center 6: Magnet Letters
Either tape the vowel up or hang it with a magnet. Then students can make words.
One of my favorite moments with this center was watching a student place a different vowel over the vowel of the day because they wanted to make a certain word. I loved seeing evidence that the student understood the vowel went in the middle.
Short Vowel Center 7: Nonsense Word vs. Real Words – Spinners
Did your Dibles assessment show your students needed help reading nonsense words? These spinners are a great way to help your students learn that they can decode all words whether they know what they mean or not.
Short Vowel Center 8: Technology
Do your students love using iPads and computers as much as mine do? I found some great apps and websites to use while learning CVC words.
I put together everything I made into a Short Vowel CVC Bundle. You can also find the products individually by clicking the pictures below.
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