Spelling Week 3
Long Vowels
- Spell words with Long Vowels correctly
- Identify word meanings using context clues and definitions
- Apply spelling words correctly in sentences
- Demonstrate mastery on the weekly post-test
Pre-Test
Word Lists & Grading
Look, Say, Cover, Write
Defining Words
Match definitions
Fill-in sentences
Word Practice
Word Scramble
Which Word Am I?
Fun with Words
Small, Medium, Large
Word Clouds (optional)
Post-Test
Spelling Test
Peer Grading
Long Vowels
Long vowels say their own name! When a vowel makes the sound of its letter name, it’s a long vowel. Long vowels appear in many spelling patterns: ea (reach), ai (sustain), igh (flight), ei/ie (seize, field), oa (coast), ay (clay), and ee (sleep).
ai → sustain, airplane | ay → clay, highway | ea → break | eigh → weigh
Long A says “ay” — the vowel teams ai, ay, and eigh are the most common patterns. Notice that break uses ea for a long A sound, which is unusual!
ea → reach | ee → sleep | ie/ei → field, seize | igh → flight, highway | y → sky
Long E says “ee” — found in ea, ee, ie, and ei patterns. Long I says “eye” — found in igh, y, and i_e (describe). Remember: “i before e, except after c” — field vs. receive!
Watch Out — Tricky Long Vowel Patterns
Long vowels have many different spelling patterns. The tricky part is knowing which pattern to use for each word. Let’s look at the ones that trip people up the most.
reach → ea = long E (“eech”) | break → ea = long A (“brayk”)
The same letters ea can make DIFFERENT long vowel sounds! In most words, ea = long E. But in break, ea = long A. You just have to memorize which one!
i before e: field, achieve → long E
e before i (after c): receive, seize → long E. Both ie and ei can say long E — the rule “i before e, except after c” helps, but seize and weigh are exceptions!
Today's Plan
1. Take the spelling pre-test (listen carefully!)
2. Get your word list and grade your partner's test
3. Practice with Look, Say, Cover, Write
Stacy tried to _____ the book on the top shelf in the library.
The food in the pantry would _____ them until the snowstorm was over.
The _____ to Chicago was delayed three hours.
Dean decided to _____ the moment.
You can _____ someone to measure how heavy they are.
The _____ left his country in search for a better place to live.
Macy had to _____ for weeks in order to pass her math test.
The family went on a much needed _____ to the beach.
His teacher had to _____ the assignment to the class.
Some people require more _____ than others.
Dan held the glass carefully so that it would not _____ .
The warm sunshine and clear, blue _____ made for a beautiful day.
The children played in the _____ until dinner time.
Ben boarded the _____ at 6:00 AM for a flight to Mexico.
Amy used the _____ to make a beautiful pinch pot for her mother.
We celebrate Thanksgiving every _____ .
The rain seemed to _____ as the storm drew closer.
The _____ looks like a dog and makes a sound like a laughing human.
Rudy ran down the _____ chasing his dog that had gotten away.
The west _____ of the United States is more rugged than the east.
⭐ CHALLENGE WORD ⭐
The team worked hard to _____ their goal of winning the championship.
⭐ CHALLENGE WORD ⭐
Every student will _____ a certificate at the end of the year.
To stretch out or extend to get something
reach
To keep something going or support over time
sus·tain
The act of flying, or a trip on an airplane
flight
To grab or take hold of something quickly and firmly
seize
To measure how heavy something is using a scale
weigh
A person who is one of the first to explore or settle in a new area
pi·o·neer
To spend time learning about a subject
stud·y
A period of time for rest and fun, away from school or work
va·ca·tion
To explain something in detail using words
de·scribe
To rest with your eyes closed and your body inactive
sleep
To separate into pieces, or a pause from activity
break
The area above the Earth where clouds and stars appear
sky
An open area of land used for growing crops or playing sports
field
A vehicle with wings and engines that flies through the air
air·plane
A type of earth material that can be shaped and hardened
clay
The eleventh month of the year, known for autumn and Thanksgiving
No·vem·ber
To become greater in size, amount, or number
in·crease
A doglike African mammal known for its laughing call
hy·e·na
A main road for fast travel between cities and towns
high·way
The land along the edge of the sea or ocean
coast
To successfully reach a goal through effort and hard work
a·chieve
To get or be given something from someone
re·ceive
How to Practice
Use your Look, Say, Cover, Write worksheet to master each word.
Study the word carefully. Notice every letter.
Say the word out loud. Listen to each syllable.
Fold the paper to hide the word. Picture it in your mind.
Write the word from memory. Then check — did you get it right?
Today's Plan
1. Match words to definitions (Part A)
2. Complete sentences using words from the list (Part B)
3. Review answers together as a class
Teacher's Choice Menu
Pick from the activities below based on what the class needs:
Find all 20 words hidden in the grid
Calculate letter values for each word
Riddle game — guess the word from clues!
Strategy Guide
1. Start with the longest words first — they're easiest to spot (vacation (8), describe (8), airplane (8), November (8), increase (8), highway (7), pioneer (7))
2. Look for unusual letter combos like “igh” in flight and highway, “eigh” in weigh, “ei” in seize, “oa” in coast
3. Words can go across, down, or diagonal — check all directions!
4. Cross off each word in the word bank as you find it
Which 3 words contain the letters “igh”?
flight, highway, and weigh (eigh)!
How It Works
Every letter has a point value: Consonants = 10 points | Vowels = 5 points
Underline each consonant, circle each vowel, then add up the total!
r(10) + e(5) + a(5) + c(10) + h(10)
= 40 points
How many consonants? How many vowels?
55
sustain
55 pts
s(10) + u(5) + s(10) + t(10) + a(5) + i(5) + n(10)
seize
35 pts
s(10) + e(5) + i(5) + z(10) + e(5)
pioneer
50 pts
p(10) + i(5) + o(5) + n(10) + e(5) + e(5) + r(10)
vacation
60 pts
v(10) + a(5) + c(10) + a(5) + t(10) + i(5) + o(5) + n(10)
describe
65 pts
d(10) + e(5) + s(10) + c(10) + r(10) + i(5) + b(10) + e(5)
airplane
60 pts
a(5) + i(5) + r(10) + p(10) + l(10) + a(5) + n(10) + e(5)
November
65 pts
N(10) + o(5) + v(10) + e(5) + m(10) + b(10) + e(5) + r(10)
highway
60 pts
h(10) + i(5) + g(10) + h(10) + w(10) + a(5) + y(10)
Clue 1: I am someone brave who goes somewhere new before anyone else.
Clue 2: I have three syllables and contain two long E sounds.
Clue 3: Lewis and Clark were famous examples of me.
Clue 1: I am a time when you get to relax and have fun away from school.
Clue 2: I have three syllables and contain a long A sound.
Clue 3: Families often take me during the summer.
Clue 1: Cars and trucks travel on me at high speeds.
Clue 2: I have two syllables and contain the letters “igh.”
Clue 3: I connect cities and towns across the country.
Clue 1: I fly through the sky carrying passengers and cargo.
Clue 2: I have two syllables and contain two long vowel patterns.
Clue 3: You board me at an airport terminal.
Clue 1: I am one of the twelve months of the year.
Clue 2: I have three syllables and I come right before December.
Clue 3: Thanksgiving is celebrated during me.
Clue 1: I mean to explain something using words and details.
Clue 2: I have two syllables and contain a long I sound.
Clue 3: Good writers use me to paint a picture with language.
To grab something suddenly and forcefully
A doglike African mammal with a famous laugh
The land next to the ocean
What you do on a scale to find out how heavy something is
To rest with your eyes closed at night
An earth material you can shape into pots and sculptures
Test Time!
1. Listen to each sentence carefully
2. Write the missing spelling word
3. When finished, trade papers and grade your partner's test
Do you know how to _____ your parents in the event of an emergency?
The roof, unable to _____ the weight of the fallen tree, collapsed.
The baby birds took _____ once they were strong enough.
The troops had to _____ the airport and subway terminals.
It is important to _____ the facts of the situation before making a decision.
The scientist was the _____ of a new invention.
Jake had to _____ the map for directions.
During her summer _____ she visited Europe.
Use details to _____ your writing.
It's important to get at least eight hours of _____ each night.
The students got to take a _____ between science and social studies.
The moon was full and the night _____ was scattered with stars.
The farmer gathers hay in the _____ on a warm fall day.
The _____ terminal was full of passengers ready to leave.
The red _____ mud stained her new jeans and shoes.
The eleventh month of the year is _____ .
The world's population continues to _____ each year.
The zoo has a spotted _____ , cheetah, and other small carnivores.
He started the car and began driving down the road toward the _____ .
The _____ is an area of land that is next to the sea.
⭐ CHALLENGE WORD ⭐
You can _____ anything if you set your mind to it.
⭐ CHALLENGE WORD ⭐
The winners will _____ medals at the awards ceremony.
To stretch out or extend to get something
reach
To keep something going or support over time
sus·tain
The act of flying, or a trip on an airplane
flight
To grab or take hold of something quickly and firmly
seize
To measure how heavy something is using a scale
weigh
A person who is one of the first to explore or settle in a new area
pi·o·neer
To spend time learning about a subject
stud·y
A period of time for rest and fun, away from school or work
va·ca·tion
To explain something in detail using words
de·scribe
To rest with your eyes closed and your body inactive
sleep
To separate into pieces, or a pause from activity
break
The area above the Earth where clouds and stars appear
sky
An open area of land used for growing crops or playing sports
field
A vehicle with wings and engines that flies through the air
air·plane
A type of earth material that can be shaped and hardened
clay
The eleventh month of the year, known for autumn and Thanksgiving
No·vem·ber
To become greater in size, amount, or number
in·crease
A doglike African mammal known for its laughing call
hy·e·na
A main road for fast travel between cities and towns
high·way
The land along the edge of the sea or ocean
coast
To successfully reach a goal through effort and hard work
a·chieve
To get or be given something from someone
re·ceive
Long Vowels — Key Takeaways
Long vowels say their name: Long A = “ay” (sustain, clay, break, weigh), Long E = “ee” (reach, sleep, field, seize), Long I = “eye” (flight, sky, describe), Long O = “oh” (coast, November).
Tricky patterns to remember: The letters ea usually say long E (reach) but sometimes say long A (break). Both ie and ei can say long E — use “i before e, except after c” as a guide.
Silent letters help: The “igh” in flight and highway is a long I pattern where the gh is silent. The silent E in describe makes the I say its name.
Challenge word connection: Achieve (ie = long E) and receive (ei after c = long E) both follow the “i before e, except after c” rule perfectly!
Shoni had always dreamed of taking a flight across the country. When her family planned a vacation to the coast of California, she could barely sustain her excitement. Cobie helped her study the map to describe the route they would take down the highway.
When they arrived, Liam was the first to reach the beach. Raelynn spotted a hyena at the nearby zoo, and Jenson tried to weigh a giant seashell on a kitchen scale. The sky was clear and blue as they played in an open field near the airplane landing strip. Maliah shaped a beautiful clay sculpture while Faeliah watched an eagle seize a fish right out of the water.
“Let’s take a break!” Duke called out after lunch. The group decided to increase their seashell collection before sleep came. Ethan, who wanted to be a pioneer in marine science, pointed out that November would be the best month to return for tide-pool exploring. Together they hoped to achieve their goal of visiting every tide pool, and they knew they would receive many more happy memories on future trips.
Answer these in your head or share with a partner:
1. Which 3 words were the hardest for you this week?
2. Did your score improve from the pre-test to the post-test?
3. What strategy helped you the most — Look Say Cover Write, the definition matching, or the games?
Sentence starter: "The strategy that helped me most was ___ because ___."