-all, -ull, -oll: Double letters changing vowel sounds

 Our next digraph exploration is the -all, -ull, -oll spelling pattern.  This one is a bit tricky, as the typical short vowel sounds of a, o, and u, often (but not always!) change when followed by a double ll.  Here are a few little memory tips for this challenging pattern.

At the beginning or middle of a word, o usually makes a short (ŏ) sound, like in "hot." Remember, double ll can make the o want to "roll," a long o sound, in -oll words. U usually makes a short (ŭ) sound, like in "run." Remember, double ll can make "u" work hard to "pull" your lips into a different shape (more like the /oo/ sound in "look and book") in -ull words! A usually makes the short (ă) sound, like in "hat." Remember, double ll helps the crying baby a calm down and feel all better!

The below video takes you through a UFLI (the research-based phonics program we are using) Home Practice lesson. Feel free to use a whiteboard if available, or just grab a pencil and paper.

Practice with Games!

Try this Quiz Show style game -- choose the correct spelling to match the picture of the -all, -ull, or -oll word: Quiz Show Game for -all, -oll, -ull

This Sound Match game is great phonemic awareness practice distinguishing vowel sounds, as well as reinforcing this week's phonics pattern: Sound Match for -all, -oll, -ull

Decodable Books Online!

Flyleaf Publishing, which our school uses for small group reading instruction, has a wonderful database of virtual decodable books you can use to practice at home, if you wish. Find the full collection here.

This book practices our recent FLSZ and -all spelling patterns:"Fun in Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

High Frequency -all, -ull, -oll Words

Our "heart words" and many of the targeted words applying specific phonics patterns overlap with Alberta Education's list of 300 High Frequency Words we want students to know by the end of grade 3. 

-all

- call

- full

- fall

-small

- pull