Closed syllables with a vowel followed by at least one consonant, are often short…except in some words with i & o followed by two consonants.
I was tōld the cōlt is kīnd of wīld.
If you have ever lŏst a gĭft or made a lĭst, you know that this is not always so.
i and o are usually short when the two consonants after the vowel are Digraphs-two letters that make one sound. This includes:
floss words: Bĭll is ĭll, give him a kĭss and a pĭll. The bŏss is ŏdd, he is always crŏss. (an exception is: roll)
-ck=/k/: throw a stĭck ŏff the dŏck.
Consonant digraphs: sĭng a lŏng sŏng, and swĭsh the fĭsh brŏth. (the word bōth is an exception)
Strategy: to fīnd lŏng, pĭck bōth. First try the long sound to see if it is a recognizable word, next try short.
Remember to fīnd and lĭft the lŏst gōld!
These words can be practiced with a Long or Short i or o Soccer Game. Teams are chosen for either the long vowel sound or the short vowel sound and take turns drawing words to match the pattern.
The words can be printed on “soccer balls” and cut out with a 1 inch circle punch to add to the fun.
The Long or Short i or o Soccer Game is available at Teachers Pay Teachers.
WATCH videos & PLAY games online at the Vowels That Vary Wakelet Tutorial, including a wordsearch and online word sort.
See a slideshow of words that show the contrast between CVC words and CVCC words with a long i & o at More Ways Vowels Can Be Long.
Phonics Pow 