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A Handy Guide to Long Vowel Sounds

When you teach reading and spelling, it’s a good idea to have a general overview of long vowel sounds. Let’s dive in!

A long vowel is a vowel that is pronounced the same as its name. For example, the word emu starts with the long E sound.

Seems pretty simple, right? But did you know that long vowel sounds can be spelled four different ways and that each way follows a specific spelling pattern?

The overview that follows will help you see the big picture about long vowel sounds as you teach reading and spelling. Read on to discover these useful patterns!

Four Ways to Form Long Vowel Sounds

A vowel at the end of a syllable can be long.
In the word we, as in We love emus, the vowel E is at the end of the syllable and says long E. In these words, the vowel at the end of a syllable is long: hero, hi, music.


Silent E can make the previous vowel long.
In the word cute, as in Emus are cute, the long U sound is formed by adding Silent E at the end of the word. Here are more words in which Silent E makes the previous vowel long: tape, shine, code.


Vowel teams can make long vowel sounds.
Vowel teams are two vowels that work together to make one sound. For example, in the word eat, as in Emus eat seeds, vowel team EA says long E. These words have vowel teams that make a long vowel sound: mail, sheep, soap.


I or O can be long when they come before two consonants.
In the word stroll, as in The emu went for a stroll, the letter O comes before two consonants and says its long vowel sound. In these words, I or O are long before two consonants: kind, gold, child.

So there you go—the four basic patterns for spelling long vowel sounds!

Let’s Dive in a Little Deeper

The chart below illustrates the most common ways to spell the long vowel sounds.

Long vowel sounds chart

Click to Download a Printable Chart!

Seeing these spellings all gathered in one place is enlightening for those of us who are already proficient readers and spellers. But I would only recommend using the chart for reference, or with an older student who has already mastered most of these phonograms. I would not recommend overwhelming a beginning student by teaching these spellings all at once. Instead, teach these basic patterns to students incrementally, one at a time.

Activities to Teach Long Vowel Sounds

Are you interested in seeing how we teach the four long vowel patterns in All About Reading and All About Spelling? Here is a sampling for you to download and enjoy!

Cute emu holding a preview of Be a Hero, a long vowel activity

Download “Be a Hero” Activity
(Vowel at the end of a syllable)

Cute emu holding a preview of Find Gold, a long vowel activity

Download “Find Gold” Activity
(I and O are long before two consonants)

The Bottom Line for Teaching Long Vowel Sounds

When it comes to teaching long vowel sounds, here’s what you need to keep in mind:

  • Long vowel sounds can be spelled four different ways, each following a specific pattern.
  • Teach these basic patterns to students incrementally, one at a time.
  • Keep it fun! Use a wide variety of interesting activities to help your student learn the four patterns for forming long vowel sounds.

All About Reading and All About Spelling walk you and your student through all the steps needed to help your student learn to read and spell. The programs are multisensory, motivating, and complete with everything you need. And if you ever need a helping hand, we’re here for you.

What’s your take on teaching the long vowel sounds? Do you have anything else to share? Let me know in the comments below!

Looking for information on short vowels? Check out our Handy Guide to Short Vowel Sounds!

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Lori T

says:

Vowels are definitely what my kiddo struggles with! Not so much reading, but definitely in writing/spelling. Having these rules and examples simply stated will really help her I hope!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Lori,
Vowels can definitely be tricky!

However, for many students, learning all the information on this chart and in this article all at once will make the struggle worse, not better. It overwhelms their funnel, as we explain in our How the “Funnel Concept” Affects Learning article. All About Spelling respects a learner’s funnel by introducing just one concept at a time and allowing plenty of practice and review with it.

Cara

says:

Thank you for the great article!

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Cara!

Amanda Schumann

says:

AAR is four favorite phonics and Reading curriculum.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Amanda!

Sarah

says:

Almost ready for AAR level 3!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Wonderful, Sarah!

Holly Brittain

says:

This is our favorite program!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Great to hear, Holly! Thank you!

Beatriz

says:

This was such a helpful article. I loved the activities and the easy to follow breakdown of how to teach this.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Beatriz,
I’m glad this is helpful!

Joyce

says:

Thank you for this! We’re done with AAR 1 and I can’t wait to start with AAR 2! Great program!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Joyce,
Congratulations on finishing All About Reading Level 1! Great work!

Karena

says:

When I hit a roadblock with my second child transitioning from short to long vowels, I knew I had to switch my phonics program. It was only going to cause me and her more frustration to continue. I found All About Reading and haven’t looked back. She loves it and this program gives confidence in reading that our other program did not! Thank you!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Karena,
Thank you for sharing! It’s great to hear how well that All About Reading is working for your child!

Carol

says:

We love AAR and AAS! Thank you!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Carol!

Allyson

says:

Working on Level 3 and our kid has learned so much!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Allyson,
It’s so great to hear that the program is working so well for your child!

Lauren

says:

I just purchased all about reading for my 2nd grader who is struggling with reading. Can’t wait to get started!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Wonderful, Lauren! If you have any questions as you get started or need anything, please let me know. I’m happy to help!

Stef

says:

Love the methods behind this program!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thanks, Stef!

Tonya

says:

We are working on long vowels next. Very informative!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Glad this is timely for you, Tonya!

Task K

says:

Absolutely love this program.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you!

Jordan Gholson

says:

I’m so excited to use these programs for my little boy to learn to read and later his siblings. The more I learn about y’all the more I can see how amazing these programs are!

Robin

says: Customer Service

I love your excitement, Jordan!

Let me know if you have questions about placement or anything else. I’m always happy to help!

Naomi

says:

Excited to try this program!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Great to hear, Naomi! Do you have any questions about placement or anything else? I’m happy to help!

Liddia

says:

I’m so excited about these activities!!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Liddia!

Lauren

says:

I’m definitely learning more about reading for myself while I teach it to my child. Appreciate the blog explanation.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Lauren,
I know what you mean!

Karlyn Wildman

says:

I’m so excited to try this curriculum!

JS

says:

My kids really like the find gold game!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Glad to hear your kids enjoyed it! Thank you.

Betty Tuohy

says:

Wow! You share so information. This just assures me I’m making the right decision.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Betty,
I’m glad this was helpful for you in making your decision! Let me know if you have questions about placement or anything else. I’m happy to help!

Betty Tuohy

says:

I can’t wait to start my grandson on this program.

Leatha Bolinger

says:

These materials make an already fun program even more likeable. Thank you!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Aww, thank you, Leatha!

Joanne

says:

This was helpful! Love the printable chart.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Glad it’s helpful, Joanne!

Jessica

says:

Very useful! Thank you!

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Jessica! Glad it’s useful.

Tori

says:

We are slowly working through long vowels and this is so helpful

Robin

says: Customer Service

I’m glad this is helpful, Tori!

Lesia P

says:

I love your program and all the resources you provide. The charts are super helpful as well! I’m so excited to be using AAR and AAS with our children and watching the progress. Thank you!

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re so welcome, Lesia! Thank you.

Katrine We

says:

Currently using Pre-reading AAR and it’s very easy to implement. I’m so excited for us to reach the lessons above too especially it’s explained so well by your team. Really love AAL ❤️

Robin

says: Customer Service

Great to hear the Pre-Reading Level is working out well for you, Katrine! Thank you.

Thomas J. Peel

says:

I use a lot of your free materials with the children I tutor

Robin

says: Customer Service

Great to hear, Thomas! Thank you!

SJ

says:

Very helpful!

Thomas J. Peel

says:

I agree it is very helpful and useful.