Long Vowels with Silent E

This is a ScribbleUp app for those helping children and adults learn how to read in English, where they can practice tricky concepts about letters and sounds. ScribbleUp apps have been used successfully in classrooms, afterschools, and at home! They are designed for anything from independent learning time in centers or at home, to learning with a sibling, tutor, teacher, or parent.

The learning goal is for early readers to explore short A versus long A and learn the differences between them, increasing phonemic awareness and phonics skills.

For Sort Sounds:
First, choose the level and difficulty - start with Level 1, easy mode. Tap everything with words on it. In the left column is "Short A", which, when clicked, makes the short A sound, and an example word with short A in it ("apple"). In the right column is "Long A", which, when clicked, makes the long A sound. It also has an example word and icon ("ape").

Then, touch a word in the grey box and listen carefully. Does it have a short A or a long A sound? Make sure to touch the Short A and Long A at the top of the page to compare.

Drag each word into either the Short A or the Long A box, depending on which one you think it uses. Compare them and make sure you think it's all the same sounds. Make sure to say the word while you do it, or whisper it. If you can't say or whisper where you are, think it in your head.

When all the words are categorized, you can check your answers by hitting the "Check Answers" button that automatically appears. Before you check answers with the button, check them yourself by clicking on all of the sounds and words.

Once you hit the "Check Answers" button, the progress bars in each of the categories light up. If a box is green, that means that there is a correct word in that category. If a box is grey, that means it is missing one of its words - maybe that word is in the other column? Go check, and listen and speak while you do!

For Build Words:
Click the play button that is blinking, then build the word out of its sounds and letters! Make sure to break the word into its sounds and say them outloud, then check if the puzzle pieces you're building match the sounds.

This purposely does not have all of the answers embedded in the feedback, as the app is designed for guided and exploratory learning rather than relying on the app to give all of the answers.

Remember, this is a tool to help teach early sound and letter concepts! Make sure not to tire out your early reader - a little bit can go a long way, and short, engaged puzzle-solving is more effective than long, boring sessions. You'll also want to reinforce the skills practiced in this app with outside reading and wordplay (especially with related words), and other early reading activities.

Please contact us at info@scribbleuplearning.com with feedback, suggestions, and questions! We're always making new tutorials, apps, and ways to make early reading fun, that we're excited to share with you.