5. Lesson Plans for 'y' as a Vowel

In this section you'll find:

• Lesson plans for introducing 'y' as a vowel
• Support for adding syllable work in your phonics routine
• Word lists to support lessons and student practice with reading and spelling words with 'y' as a vowel

These Reading Universe lesson plans are free to download and use in your classroom to teach 'y' as a vowel. The lesson plans have all the resources you need to get going right away.

Use these lesson plans to introduce 'y' as a vowel in one-syllable or multisyllabic words.

Here is a checklist you can use each time you introduce a new syllable type.

• Consonant 'y' Picture Flash Card (opens in new window)
• 'y' as a Vowel Picture Flash Card
• Dictation Paper (opens in new window)
• Phrase and Sentence Dictation Paper (opens in new window)

Once students know how to identify a closed, open, or magic 'e' syllable, you can add syllable work into your daily phonics routine. This will become even more important as students learn more syllable types and begin practicing with multisyllabic words. Syllable work is necessary when you introduce 'y' as a vowel in multisyllabic words.

During syllable work, you spell syllables aloud and then have children practice the steps for syllable division.

You can also incorporate syllable work into the other parts of your lesson. For example, during your listening game, say a word and have students identify the vowel sound as short by making the motion of a breve symbol (arms in the air above their heads in the shape of a smile) while saying the short vowel sound or making a macron (arms in a straight line out like a 't') while saying a long vowel sound. 

Or you can add syllables to your flash cards as part of your warm-up. Ask students to identify the vowel, then guide them to look immediately after the vowel and ask if the syllable is closed, open, or magic 'e'. Then have them identify the vowel sound and read the word.

Ultimately, syllable work is all about decoding words. Doing syllable work in small groups focusing on reading is a great way to provide guided practice in this skill. Remember that students should stop using scaffolds such as coding and labeling as soon as they begin to read closed-syllable words automatically.