All About Vowel Teams

All About Vowel Teams

Author: Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi January 18, 2019 Duration: 25:28

Vowel teams are combinations of vowels (two or more) that make one sound. When students begin learning about vowel teams they have to demonstrate an understanding of sound symbol relationship where multiple vowel teams represent a single sound. This developmental decoding milestone is quite complex and is a critical step that students must take on their journey to mastering syllable patterns. Shannon and Mary will walk you through some of the important steps in teaching readers vowel teams.

Resource Links:

  1. The Literacy Nest Tips for Teaching Vowel Teams
  2. Curated Vowel Teams Youtube clips playlist
  3. FCRR Same but Different activity
  4. FCRR Vowel Digraph Baseball activity
  5. Words Their Way Within Word text
  6. Pat Cunningham Looks Right strategy
  7. Pat Cunningham Brand Name Phonics (unit within the text)
  8. Vowel Team Word list with pictures (made by Shannon)
  9. Electric Company video link (from the end of the episode)
  10. Shannon's Vowel Team Lesson Plans & Activities


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In the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi pull up a chair for a conversation that feels both deeply professional and warmly familiar. These two elementary reading teachers and Atlanta neighbors discovered a shared, fervent passion for literacy over a local dinner, realizing they were kindred spirits in their mission. That initial chat never really ended, and now it forms the heart of this podcast. Each episode invites you into their ongoing dialogue, where practical classroom strategies, reflections on what works, and thoughtful discussions about reaching every single learner are all on the table. It’s a space designed for fellow educators, dedicated parents, and anyone invested in how children learn to read, offering tangible ideas rather than abstract theory. The tone is collaborative and grounded in real classroom experiences, reflecting a joint belief that literacy is foundational. By tuning in, you gain access to their collective experience and earnest curiosity, all focused on the complex, rewarding world of teaching reading. This isn't about performance; it's about sharing a genuine professional conversation from their lounge to yours, making the Reading Teachers Lounge a unique podcast for those who live and breathe language education.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 129

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