OU Vowel Blends Activity for Kids

Use interactive activities, such as computer games, to teach proper spelling and vowel sounds.

As students learn to read, they can become tripped up on vowel sounds that change depending on the word. One of these vowel combinations is "ou." In a word such as "cloud" it sounds like "ow." In word such as "gourd" it sounds like an "o."

Dipthongs

Explain that the "ou" combination is a diphthong. A diphthong is a vowel combination that starts when two adjacent vowels occur in the same syllable, but have distinct sounds. Their mouth must start in one position for the first sound and move into the second position for the second.

Identification

In one activity provided, a picture is presented with three examples of objects where a student must pronounce the "ou" sound. Two examples will be incorrect, one will be correct. In the first example, it is the word "cloud." Instruct them to select what the object is.

Pronunciation

Instruct the students to properly pronounce each word. As they pronounce each word correctly, they are allowed to go onto the next word in the interactive game. Continue playing until the word examples, perhaps five or 10 at a time, are completed.

References

• Sadlier-Oxford: Phonics Grade 2 and 3