Flash Card Demo: Vowel Teams 'ou' and 'ow'

The /ow/ sound is one students run into early and often when learning to read. And because the /ow/ sound can be spelled multiple ways — most commonly 'ou', like in shout and 'ow', like in cow — it's important students get plenty of opportunities to review when to use each one after it is first introduced. Flash cards are a quick, effective way to build automaticity and reinforce those skills students already know. Watch as literacy coach Ashlea Edwards, M.Ed., demonstrates how to warm up with these vowel team flash cards.

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

'ou' - 'o', 'u', ouch, /ow/.
'ow' - 'o', 'w', cow, /ow/.

Learn more about how to use flash cards in the classroom 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)