Phonics Minilesson

Name: Chelsea Bowden

Date: November 5, 2015
Objective or Focus:
20.) Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. [RF.2.3]
a. Distinguish long and short vowels when reading regularly spelled one-syllable words.
[RF.2.3a]
Materials List:
Materials:
o Short a Vowel Worksheet
o Reading Mat for Short Vowels
o Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton
Invitation or Introduction:
The teacher will begin the lesson by reading Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton, which puts an
emphasis on the short vowel sound a. Students will be sitting on carpet, listening and following
classroom directions. Okay boys and girls, today I will be reading you a story by Rob Scotton
called Splat the Cat. Can anyone tell me something about the title? Very good. Does anyone know
what a short vowel sound is? Does anyone hear the short a sound in the title? Me too. While I
am reading, I would like for you to listen for the short vowel sound a that will be used
throughout the story. Teacher reads story to students. Okay, so now can someone give me an
example from the story where you hear the short vowel sound a? Can someone please give me
an example not mentioned in the story? Thank you, very good. I think we are all grasping the
concept of short vowel sounds with the letter a. Today, we will be focusing on learning our
short vowel sound a. Does anyone have any questions before we move on? Okay great.
(Teacher transitions to modeling)
Teacher Modeling:
Boys and girls, before I let you have an opportunity to practice by yourself, I would like to
demonstrate for you what you will be doing today. Teacher pulls out reading mat with short vowel
sounds using a and models what they students will be doing individually at their desks. As you
can use I have a small mat with multiple pictures on it. Next to my mat I have a baggy with Velcro
cards labeled with words that use the short vowel sound a. Teacher holds up mat and small
cards and shows students. You will pull a card out of the baggy and Velcro it to the
approach/matching picture. For example, there is a picture of a hat on the mat, so when I draw
the word hat, I will Velcro it to that box covering the picture. Teacher models this procedure.
Does that make sense friends? Okay great. Teacher instructs students to return to desk and she
hands out materials for individual practice. When I call your name, please return to your desk
and sit patiently as I walk around and pass out the mats and cards. Teacher instructs students to
begin working on their own mat at their desks quietly. Alright friends, go ahead and get started. I
will be circulating the room if you have any questions or need further assistance. (Independent
Practice begins)
Independent Practice:
Students will complete the reading mat labeled with short vowel sound pictures using a and
Velcro index cards with a word. The teacher will circulate the room to see how students are doing

and if they need further assistance. The students will Velcro the matching short vowel sound a
word to the matching picture. The teacher will check students mat before allowing them to
complete the worksheet that will be used as a formative assessment check.
Assessment and Reflection:
The students will complete a worksheet labeled Short a Vowel Sound as an assessment check.
Once the students have completed the mat in its entirety, the teacher will distribute the worksheet
and allow the students to complete and turn it in for an assessment check of their understanding
of the short vowel sound a. Okay boys and girls, once I see that you have completed your
reading mat for the short vowel sound a I will bring you a worksheet to complete, that I will
collect to see how you are doing with the short vowel sound a. Boys and girls, I just want to
see what you have learned today, so dont be worried if you still dont completely understand. I
want to help you learn and this worksheet will help me identify what you are struggling with. As
students begin completing their mats, the teacher distributes the worksheet. This worksheet will
be collected as a formative assessment check, to gage where the students are and what needs
further explanation.

Short a Vowel Sound

Name:
Directions: Write the missing short vowel sound on the blank line.

Short Vowel Sound a Reading Mat

Velcro Index Cards:

Cat
Hat
Rat

Nap
Mat
Bag

Pan
Dad
Can