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Vowel Teams: EE-sy Peasy!

Lesson Plan

Vowel Teams: EE-sy Peasy!

Students will be able to accurately identify and decode words containing the 'ee' vowel team, improving their phonics skills and reading fluency.

Understanding vowel teams like 'ee' is crucial for decoding many words in the English language. Mastering these patterns builds foundational reading skills, boosts confidence, and helps students access more complex texts independently.

Audience

5th Grade Pull-Out Students (struggling with phonics)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, guided practice, and independent application of 'ee' vowel team phonics.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Say It, Spell It!

5 minutes

  • Display a few simple CVC words (e.g., 'cat', 'bed', 'run') on the board or Vowel Teams: EE-sy Peasy! Slide Deck.
  • Have students quickly read each word aloud, then spell it.
  • Introduce the idea that some vowel sounds are made by two vowels working together, like a 'team'.

Step 2

Introduce Vowel Team 'ee'

7 minutes

  • Transition to Vowel Teams: EE-sy Peasy! Slide Deck Slide 1-3.
  • Explain that 'ee' is a vowel team that makes the long 'e' sound, as in 'tree' or 'feet'.
  • Say a few words with 'ee' and emphasize the sound. Ask students to repeat.
  • Display a list of 'ee' words on the board (e.g., 'see', 'feel', 'green', 'sheep', 'sleep').
  • Model decoding by sounding out a few words, then blending them together.
  • Ask students to identify the 'ee' vowel team in each word and what sound it makes.

Step 3

Guided Practice: Read Aloud & Find!

8 minutes

  • Distribute the Word List Worksheet: EE-sy Peasy!.
  • Go through the word list together as a group.
  • Have each student take turns reading an 'ee' word aloud.
  • After reading, ask students to use the word in a simple sentence.
  • Provide immediate feedback and correction as needed, reinforcing the 'ee' sound.
  • As a bonus, challenge students to quickly underline the 'ee' vowel team in each word on their worksheet.

Step 4

Independent Practice/Application

5 minutes

  • Students will complete the remainder of the Word List Worksheet: EE-sy Peasy! independently.
  • Circulate around the room, providing individual support and checking for understanding.
  • Encourage students to use a finger or pencil to track as they decode words.

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Quick Check

5 minutes

  • Bring the group back together.
  • Ask students to share one 'ee' word they learned or practiced today.
  • Display a new sentence with an 'ee' word (e.g.,
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Slide Deck

Welcome, Word Detectives!

Today, we're going on a word adventure!

Get ready to crack some codes and discover new sounds.

Welcome students and briefly review what a vowel is. Ask them if they remember any vowel sounds. Get them ready to decode a few simple CVC words.

Let's Warm Up: Say It, Spell It!

Read the word, then spell it out loud.

  • C_A_T
  • B_E_D
  • R_U_N

Present these CVC words one by one. Have students read them aloud, then identify the single vowel sound and spell the word. This activates prior knowledge.

Meet the Vowel Teams!

Sometimes, two vowels team up to make a single sound.

They're like partners in a word!

Today's team makes the long 'e' sound.

Introduce the concept of vowel teams. Explain that sometimes two vowels work together to make one sound. Give them a hint about the 'ee' sound.

Our Team Today: EE

The vowel team 'ee' says /ē/ as in...

  • Tr_ee_
  • F_ee_t

Listen carefully and repeat after me!

Focus specifically on the 'ee' vowel team. Emphasize the long 'e' sound. Provide clear examples and have students repeat the sound and words.

Decoding with EE

Let's read these words together:

  • s_ee_
  • f_ee_l
  • gr_ee_n
  • sh_ee_p
  • sl_ee_p

Can you spot the 'ee'?

Display these words and model decoding a couple of them. Point to 'ee' and make the sound. Then have students help decode the others. Ask them to identify 'ee' and its sound.

Time for Practice!

Now it's your turn to be the word detective!

We'll work on the Word List Worksheet: EE-sy Peasy! together first.

Explain the worksheet activity. Guided practice means we do it together first. Ensure everyone has their worksheet.

Independent Word Work

Continue practicing with the remaining words on your worksheet.

  • Read each 'ee' word.
  • Underline the 'ee' vowel team.
  • Try to use each word in a sentence (in your head or whisper it).

I'm here to help if you get stuck!

Transition to independent practice. Circulate and provide support. Remind students to track the words as they read.

Quick Check & Share

What's one 'ee' word you practiced today?

Let's read this sentence:
"The queen will meet her geese by the green tree."

How many 'ee' words did you find?

Bring the group back. Ask students to share a word from their worksheet. Then, present a sentence for them to read and identify the 'ee' word.

Great Work, Detectives!

You did an amazing job with the 'ee' vowel team today!

Keep practicing your word detective skills.

Conclude the lesson by reviewing the 'ee' sound and encouraging continued practice. Praise their effort.

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Worksheet

Word List Worksheet: EE-sy Peasy!

Directions: Read each word aloud. Underline the "ee" vowel team in each word. Then, try to use each word in a sentence.

  1. see



  2. feel



  3. green



  4. sheep



  5. sleep



  6. tree



  7. feet



  8. meet



  9. bee



  10. deep



  11. free



  12. weed



  13. cheese



  14. queen



  15. street



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Answer Key

Answer Key: EE-sy Peasy!

Directions: Read each word aloud, identify the "ee" vowel team, and think of a sentence using the word.

  1. see
    • Thought Process: The letters
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