We have learned the v-c-e rule for a, i, o and u thanks to the bossy e unit I purchased from The Teacher Wife and we are now moving on to -ay. I was trying to think how I could make this a little more interest and memorable for the kids. Finally (seriously I probably spend wayyy to much time brainstorming on these things) I decided to reference one of my favorite shows as a kids, "Happy Days".
I absolutely loved watching Nick at Nite as a kid. My bedtime shows were I Love Lucy, Laverne and Shirly, The Jeffersons, The Facts of Life and of course Happy Days. Sadly Nick at Nite now considered Goerge Lopez to be the classic show for Nick at Nite.
Anywho, Author Fonzarelli was a favorite of mine and now he his doing a fan-tab-ulous job of helping me teach ay. His opening line was always, "Ay!" (please imagine a New York/Italian accent). I showed my kids a brief clip of him saying it (be sure to preview ahead of time, not all words from Happy Days are completely school appropriate) and then we brainstormed words that had that sound in them.
We are so lucky at my school to have a poster printer! It's awesome and hopefully my principal isn't going to tell me to lay off the printing... eek! I created this -ay Fonzi poster and I can't wait to share it with the kids tomorrow.
They are crackin' me up walking around with thier thumbs up saying, "ay!" for hello. So glad I could revive Happy Days. Feel free to download it below, display on your active board or print.
Also, I'd love to know if you have any suggestions for other ways to teach some of the long vowel tricks of the trade. Let me know what ya think if you decide to grab a copy!
Talk to ya soon,
Dee Dee
