Phonics, Spelling, & Grammar Resources

Looking for exciting activities to teach the “ow” digraph sound? Look no further! Our collection of “ow” Digraph Activities is designed to make phonics learning engaging and effective for students of all levels. From interactive digital games and worksheets to hands-on phonics games and word-building exercises, we offer a wide range of resources tailored to different learning styles.

Whether your students are in kindergarten, first grade, or beyond, these activities will help them recognize and practice words with the “ow” digraph sound. Get ready to ignite their phonics skills and make learning “ow” words a breeze!

Vowel Digraph or Vowel Team?

What Is a Vowel Team (or Vowel Digraph)?

A vowel team, sometimes also known as a vowel digraph, is a pair or group of two or more vowels that work together in a word to produce a specific sound. These vowel pairs or combinations, known as digraphs, team up to create unique vowel sounds that you hear when you say words out loud.

For example, when you see the vowel team “ai” in the word “sail,” these two vowels work together to create the sound you hear in the middle of the word. The “a” and the “i” come together to produce a sound that’s different from when they appear separately in other words.

Vowel teams, or vowel digraphs, are like the dynamic duos of the alphabet, joining forces to make our words sound the way they do. Learning about vowel teams, also known as digraphs, is important because it helps us understand how to pronounce words correctly and how to spell them. So, when you see these pairs of vowels, whether you call them vowel teams or digraphs, hanging out in words, you’ll know they’re working together to create a special sound!

Teaching The “ow” Digraph

Let’s explore the world of vowel digraphs, with a specific focus on the “ow” digraph, and understand why, when, and how we teach it.

A vowel digraph is formed when two vowels come together to create a unique sound. In the case of the “ow” digraph, it produces the diphthong sound like in words such as “cow,” “how,” and “brown.” Teaching vowel digraphs, like “ow,” helps students understand the various ways that vowel sounds can be represented in words.

Why do we teach “ow” vowel digraphs?

Vowel digraphs provide students with a deeper understanding of vowel sound patterns. Recognizing and understanding vowel digraphs helps students read and spell words more accurately and confidently. “ow” digraphs also expand students’ vocabulary and improve their overall reading comprehension.

When should we teach “ow” vowel digraphs?

Introducing vowel digraphs, including “ow,” typically happens after students have mastered single-letter vowel sounds. As students progress in their phonics skills, usually in kindergarten or first grade, teaching vowel digraphs like “ow” allows them to explore the complexities of vowel sounds and enhance their decoding abilities.

How to teach “ow” vowel digraphs

Effective teaching of vowel digraphs involves engaging activities that incorporate both auditory and visual components. Teachers can use word sorts, word-building exercises, interactive games, and reading passages that highlight words with the “ow” digraph. Some example words include “cow,” “how,” “show,” “window,” and “yellow.” These activities provide students with opportunities to practice decoding words with the “ow” digraph and reinforce their understanding of the corresponding sound.

Explicit instruction on the different pronunciations of the “ow” digraph is important. For example, students need to learn the diphthong sound, which combines the short “o” and “w” sounds, as in “cow,” and the long “o” sound as in “slow.” Providing ample practice and reinforcement activities allows students to apply their knowledge of the “ow” digraph in both reading and writing contexts.

Teaching “ow” vowel digraphs empowers students to become more confident readers and writers. By understanding and recognizing this digraph, students can handle a wider range of words and enhance their literacy skills. Through engaging activities and targeted instruction, we can support students in developing a strong foundation in vowel digraphs and boost their overall reading and spelling abilities.