Listen To and Identify AY Vowel Team Words

Use this resource in your reading center, as a guided reading activity, or as a whole class exercise (see below) to practice decoding the long “a” phoneme represented in AY vowel team words.

To play, students read the calling card shown by the teacher and cover the picture of the AY word if it appears on their BINGO board. 

The AY vowel team words your students will hear and identify in this game are: 

Scaffolding + Extension Tips 

You can also challenge students to put the cards in alphabetical order, giving them a chance to think about how each letter in the word contributes to its ordering in a list. 

Support students who need help understanding the concepts by using a vowel phonemes poster or an anchor chart as a visual reference. 

Play these versions of BINGO to extend the game!

• 4 corners
• Plus sign
• X out
• Blackout

More Activity Ideas for this Phonics Activity

Use this resource as independent practise for fast finishers and full-class learning opportunities like scoot activities, lesson reviews, formative assessments, and more.

👋 Swat! 

During small group instruction, create a grid of cards on top of a table and give each student a fly swatter. Read the word on one of the cards. The first student to swat the word correctly sets the card aside in their own pile to keep score. The student with the most cards wins. 

👉 Knock Off

Have your students stand up and make a line across the room. Project a word on the screen and use our Random Name Picker widget to draw a student’s name to answer. If the student correctly identifies the word, they tap the person on their left or right to send them back to their seat. If the student answers the card incorrectly, they must sit out. Play continues until only 1 student is standing.

🃏 Upcycle into Playing Cards

Print off 2 sets of word cards! Students can play card games like Match It, Go Fish, or Snap to get even more practice identifying AY words. 

Easily Prepare This Phonics Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource.  Print on thick card for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

More Diphthong and Vowel Team Activities

Supplement your vowel team lessons with these activities and resources: 

teaching resource

AI Diphthong Vowel Digraph Bingo

Practise decoding words that use the AI vowel team convention with this BINGO game for up to 20 players.

teaching resource

'AY' Diphthong Vowel Digraph Board Game

Decode words with the ay long vowel team in this board game.

teaching resource

OW Graphemes - SCOOT! Task Cards

Explore words containing graphemes that make the diphthong ‘ow’ with this active classroom game that will get your students moving!