For Educators
The Powerful Vowels kits can be used for word building (decoding and encoding) practice for whole class, small groups or individual intervention.
This tool is most effective when used with a phonics-based spelling program. There are various scopes and sequences that are effective for early phonics instruction. Regardless of the program you choose, children build competence much faster if you stick to one and follow it with fidelity. A phonics scope and sequences is by definition carefully constructed to increase in complexity in a gradual and systematic manner which leads to mastery of decoding/encoding of words very efficiently.
You can find quality scope and sequences provided by the NSW Department of Education and SPELD NSW.
The English spelling system is complex!
Promoting success builds confidence and engagement.
Follow our simple step-by-step tutorial to get started with
Powerful Vowels in the classroom.
Step 1:
Use a spelling list that follows a systematic phonics scope and sequence.
Step 2:
All children should have their kits open and ready to listen for the words.TIP: To make it easier, set out only the grapheme tiles they need to make their spelling words.
TIP: To make it harder, don't lay out the grapheme tiles. Let the child find the tiles they need themselves.
Step 3:
Clearly read a word out loud from their spelling list. It's beneficial to repeat the word, then ask the children, "What's the word?" When children repeat the word themselves, they are practicing each sound in the word.
Step 4:
Ask the children to count how many sounds they hear in the word. You can model this step for the first few words.
TIP: They can use their fingers or counters to track each sound.
Step 5:
Ask your students to draw a line for each sound they hear in the “Make It” space.
This allows them to keep track of each phoneme in the word while they find the suitable grapheme tiles.
TIP: If a child is missing sounds when they count, model for them by saying each sound more slowly.
You can talk about how funny the word would sound without a particular phoneme.
Step 6:
Children choose the grapheme tiles to match each phoneme.
TIP: If a child chooses an incorrect graphemes, use your finger and read aloud as you match each phoneme to their grapheme. Make it clear which sound is incorrect and what needs to change.
Step 7:
Once each sound is correctly represented by a grapheme tile, ask your students to read the whole word.
TIP: Encourage children to run their finger under the tiles to practice blending the phonemes and saying the word.
Step 8:
Once they have correctly represented the word using the grapheme tiles, your students can copy the word in the “Write It” space. Ask them to check that their written word matches the tile representation. This gives them immediate feedback and scaffolds them for success!