Are you ready to 💥 SMASH💥  today’s vowels lesson?

Our Smash It! game lets your students get very ‘hands-on’ when listening for and distinguishing between long and short vowel sounds.

Five different game boards include pictures of objects for students to name. Students practise segmenting the sounds in each word and identifying whether the vowel they hear in each word is long or short. 

Listen to Phonemes with Our Long & Short Vowels Game

Use this resource in small groups as an English group activity or as a whole class exercise (see below) to distinguish between long and short vowel sounds.

To play, students will need modelling clay and a word mat. Shuffle the letter cards and place them in the centre of the playing area. The first player chooses a vowel card and identifies its sound. They then look for a picture on their mat with that vowel sound and use their modelling clay to SMASH IT! Students take turns identifying and smashing the pictures until one student has SMASHED all the objects on their card. 

Scaffolding + Extension Tips 

This game can be played individually or with multiple players (either sharing the one mat or on their own individual mats.) If players are sharing a mat, they use different coloured modelling clay and take turns to ‘SMASH IT!’ 

Challenge confident students to write the chosen word on a mini whiteboard or piece of paper and underline the vowel. 

Support students who need help identifying vowels by using an anchor chart or vowels poster as a visual reference. 

Get More Activities from ONE Vowels Game!

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

2️⃣ Group Play (Beginner)

Divide your class into pairs and give each pair a word mat. Using your smartboard or another projection device, present the letter cards. Students work together to identify the words with that vowel sound on their board. The first pair to cover every picture on their board wins! 

🌞 Warm-Up/Exit Activity (Intermediate)

Use this activity as a formative assessment. Pick a word mat and project it on the board for the whole class to see. Read each of the words as a class, and have students write whether it has a long or short vowel sound on a separate sheet of paper.

✏️ Write the Room Scoot Activity (Advanced)

Hang sheets of chart paper around the room and post a vowel sound card above each one. Individually, or with a partner, have students rotate around the room, adding one word to the chart that includes the given vowel sound. Students must not use any of the same words as those on the game boards. Words may only be used once.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on card for added durability, and slip the boards into write and wipe sleeves for easy clean-up. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

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

No need to look anywhere else for vowel activities and resources—we’ve got your lessons covered: 

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Differentiating Long and Short Vowels Interactive PowerPoint

An interactive quiz to practise differentiating between long and short vowel sounds in words.

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Identifying Short Vowel Sounds Interactive PowerPoint

An interactive quiz to practise identifying short vowel sounds in words.

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Long and Short Vowel Flashcards (Assessment Kit)

A set of 10 picture flash cards covering long and short vowel sounds and a teacher assessment tool.