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AFTER READING
Generalization
OBJECTIVES
In unaccented (unstressed)
syllables, any vowel can
stand for the schwa
sound, //.
  • Use word parts to decode
    words with the schwa
    sound in unaccented
    syllables.
  • Review words with the
    vowel sounds in tooth
     and cook.
  • Blend and read words with
    the schwa sound in
    unaccented syllables
    and words with the vowel
    sounds in tooth and cook.
  • Apply decoding strategies:
    blend longer words.
ELL
Support Phonics Many languages do not have the schwa sound, so English language learners may have difficulty pronouncing and spelling the unstressed syllable in words such as along and upon. Provide additional practice with these words.
See the Phonics Transition Lessons in the ELL and Transition Handbook.
Practice Book
Practice Book 3.2 p. 119
with | without Answers
You may wish to explain the
meanings of these words.
cruiser a police car
monsoon a strong wind and
heavy rain
tenderfoot a person with no
experience
Vocabulary Tip
The letters oo can stand for the
vowel sound in book, //, or in
moon, /ü/. The letter u can stand
for short u or the vowel sound in
book, //. Context provides the
clue to pronunciation. The letters
ew, ue, and ui can stand for the
vowel sound in moon, /ü/.
Generalization
Phonics
Phonics
Schwa
TEACH
Remind students that at least one syllable in a multisyllabic word is accented, or
stressed. Write the words about, affect, April, occur, and circus.
  • How many syllables do you hear in the word about? (2)
  • Which syllable is accented, or stressed? (the second)
  • What vowel sound do you hear in the accented syllable? (/ou/)
  • What vowel do you see in the unaccented syllable? (a)
  • Do you hear the long a sound? (no)
  • What sound do you hear? (//)
  • // is the schwa sound.
Think AloudMODEL When I read words that have more than one syllable, I see different
vowels in the unaccented syllables, but the different vowel letters often
stand for the same sound. Vowels in unaccented syllables usually stand
for the schwa sound, //. When I'm not sure how to pronounce a multisyllable
word, I say the schwa sound for the vowels in the unaccented syllables.
AFFECT
CIRCUS
OCCUR
APRIL
Model blending affect, April, occur, and circus,
stressing the accented syllables. Then have
students blend the words with you.
PRACTICE AND ASSESS
DECODE LONGER WORDS Write these words. Have students read them and
then underline the letters that stand for the schwa sound.
sister bacon along upon
gadget robin metal commit
READ WORDS IN CONTEXT Write these sentences. Have individuals read
them and point out words with the schwa sound. Words with the schwa sound
are underlined.
We stayed in a log cabin at the bottom of a canyon.
I like to put lots of lettuce in my salad.
Would you like to buy a pretzel for a nickel?
The garage was ablaze.
To assess, observe whether students read words with the schwa sound correctly.
Review Phonics
REVIEW VOWELS in tooth, cook
CONNECT Write this sentence: The food was not good because we put in too
little salt.
  • We studied the words with the vowel sounds in tooth and cook.
  • Read the sentence to yourself. Raise your hand when you know which words
    have the vowel sound in tooth.     (food, too)
  • Raise your hand when you know which words have the vowel sound in
    cook.     (good, put)
Continue in the same way with the sentence Look at Dad's new blue suit.
PRACTICE AND ASSESS
DECODE LONGER WORDS Have individuals read the following words. Provide
help chunking and blending the words as needed.
pushup avenue swimsuit neighborhood
shampoo outgrew overdue monsoon
cruiser unscrew tenderfoot cushion
READ WORDS IN CONTEXT Have students read these sentences. Then, to
check meaning, have them give their own sentence for the underlined word.
Sue's suitcase is full of clothes.
I felt like snoozing, but the bright moonlight kept me awake.
The horses' hoofbeats shook the ground.
The ship's crew knew that a storm was due.
To assess, note how well students read words with the vowel sounds in
tooth and cook.