Vowel Teams Decodable Passages – FREE Printables!
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Get two FREE printable Decodable Passages for practicing decoding words with vowel teams and diphthongs! Each page has an engaging passage with tons of vowel teams and diphthongs reading practice, plus questions for a comprehension check!
Why We Love It
Vowel teams and diphthongs can be very tricky for students to master, so it’s important to provide lots of opportunities for repeat exposures.
These decodable passages provide kids with TONS of practice reading words with vowel teams and diphthongs in context. One decodable story is about a boy and his dog on New Year’s Day, and the other is about girls who spend the day at the pool.
Why use decodable readers? Research rooted in the Science of Reading asserts that decodable texts provide specific reinforcement of the explicit phonics skills taught.
So instead of relying on memorization, students are challenged to decode using learned skills. Learn more about the importance and benefits of using decodable readers in your classroom.
➡️ MORE: Check out our roundup of hundreds of FREE decodable readers!
Using the Worksheets
Students should read through the passages, underlining or highlighting words with vowel teams as they come across them.
Once they’re finished reading, each worksheet has five simple questions to ensure comprehension.
➡️ IMPORTANT: In order to decode these passages, students should be familiar with: ai/ay, oi/oy, ee/ea, ou/ow, oo/ou.
Be sure to give a quick refresher on vowel teams and diphthongs before you begin!
A vowel team is when two vowels come together to make one sound. For example:
- In “boat,” the oa says /ō/.
- In “rain,” ai says /ā/.
A diphthong is a little different. It’s when two vowels glide together to make a sound that kind of changes as you say it. As you say the diphthong, your mouth will begin in one position and end in another. For example:
- In “cow,” ow makes an /ow/ sound.
- In “toy,” oy makes an /oy/ sound.
Recommended Resources
- All About the Vowel Team/Diphthong Syllable Type
- Hundreds of FREE Decodable Readers
- Long Vowel Word Practice
- 500 Decodable Sentences (Sentence Strips, Read & Write Worksheets, and Google slides)
Download & Print
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➡️ MORE Freebies: Practice worksheet for diphthongs oi/oy, practice worksheet for ai/ay.