Flash Card Demo: Vowel Team 'oo'

Whether you're looking at a cookbook or eating oodles of noodles, we interact with the 'oo' vowel team on a daily basis. So it's important that students understand that this one spelling pattern can make two different sounds: /o͝o/, as in hook, and /o͞o/, like in broom. And flash cards are a quick, effective way to build automaticity and reinforce what students already know. Watch as literacy coach Elizabeth Hogan, M.Ed., demonstrates how to warm up students' ears to hear the difference.

Here's what you can say when warming up with these flash cards that have the keyword picture:

"The 'oo' vowel team makes two sounds. The first is 'o', 'o', book, /o͝o/. The second is 'o', 'o', broom, /o͞o/."

Learn more about how to use flash cards in the classroom (opens in new window) with reading coach Carla Stanford.

What did you notice?

1. It's important to prepare for a flash card lesson by pulling the cards you need, organizing, and practicing ahead of time. What can you do to prepare for the flash card portion of your lesson?

Support Materials

Vowel Team and Diphthong Flash Cards with Pictures (5x7)

Print these 5x7 letter flash cards with pictures to help students practice vowel teams, like 'oa', and diphthongs, like /oi/.