Understanding Long Vowel Sounds and Vowel Sounds /æ/ and /a:/ Speech Work English Grammar Primary 5 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2

Learn long vowel sounds and the distinction between /æ/ and /a:/ in this Primary 5 English lesson.

Subject: English Grammar
Class: Primary 5
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 10 years
Topic: Long Vowel Sounds
Sub-topic: Vowel Sounds /æ/ and /a:/
Duration: 1 hour

Behavioural Objectives: By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

• Identify and pronounce the vowel sounds /æ/ and /a:/ correctly.
• Distinguish between the sounds when used in words.
• Use words containing these sounds in sentences.

Keywords: Long vowel sounds, /æ/ sound, /a:/ sound, Pronunciation, Diction

Set Induction:

• Begin with a simple tongue twister that emphasizes long vowel sounds. For example, “The fat cat sat on a mat.”

Entry Behaviour:

• Students should be familiar with basic vowel sounds and the concept of short and long vowels.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Flashcards with words containing /æ/ and /a:/ sounds.
• Audio recordings of words with these vowel sounds.
• Visual aids showing mouth positions for producing the sounds.

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

• Review the short vowel sounds learned in the previous week. Discuss how vowels can have different sounds depending on their length.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Listening and speaking skills
• Pronunciation
• Oral communication

Learning Materials:

• Flashcards
• Audio player
• Visual aids

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• English Grammar Textbooks for Primary 5

Instructional Materials:

• Whiteboard and markers
• Handouts with exercises on vowel sounds

Content:

1. Definition and Explanation of Long Vowel Sounds:
   • Long vowels are vowel sounds that are pronounced for a longer duration.
   • Examples of long vowel sounds:
     • a: as in “cake”
     • e: as in “beet”
     • i: as in “kite”
     • o: as in “boat”
     • u: as in “flute”
2. Vowel Sound /æ/:
   • The /æ/ sound is a short, front vowel sound.
   • It is pronounced by placing the tongue low and at the front of the mouth.
   • Examples:
     • “cat” /kæt/
     • “bat” /bæt/
     • “mat” /mæt/
3. Vowel Sound /a:/:
   • The /a:/ sound is a long, back vowel sound.
   • It is pronounced by opening the mouth wide and lowering the tongue.
   • Examples:
     • “car” /ka

       /

     • “farm” /fa

       /

     • “father” /ˈfa:ðər/
4. Contrasting /æ/ and /a:/ in Words:
   • The /æ/ sound is shorter and sharper, while the /a:/ sound is longer and deeper.
   • Examples:
     • “bad” /bæd/ vs. “bard” /ba

       /

     • “hat” /hæt/ vs. “heart” /ha

       /

     • “pat” /pæt/ vs. “part” /pa

       /

Evaluation:

1. The word with the /æ/ sound is:
   a) car
   b) cat
   c) far
   d) part
2. The vowel sound in “farm” is:
   a) /æ/
   b) /a:/
   c) /e:/
   d) /o:/
3. Which of these words has the /a:/ sound?
   a) Bat
   b) Hat
   c) Father
   d) Mat
4. The /æ/ sound is pronounced by:
   a) Opening the mouth wide
   b) Placing the tongue low and front
   c) Closing the lips
   d) Raising the tongue
5. The word “heart” has the vowel sound:
   a) /æ/
   b) /a:/
   c) /e:/
   d) /i:/
6. A word that contrasts with “cat” using the /a:/ sound is:
   a) Car
   b) Kit
   c) Pat
   d) Rat
7. Which word has the /æ/ sound?
   a) Hat
   b) Hard
   c) Cart
   d) Dark
8. The vowel sound in “bard” is:
   a) /æ/
   b) /a:/
   c) /e:/
   d) /i:/
9. A word that contrasts with “bat” using the /a:/ sound is:
   a) Barn
   b) Bet
   c) Bit
   d) Bat
10. The /a:/ sound is longer than the /æ/ sound.
    a) True
    b) False
11. The word “part” has the vowel sound:
    a) /æ/
    b) /a:/
    c) /e:/
    d) /o:/
12. Which of these words does not have the /æ/ sound?
    a) Rat
    b) Car
    c) Cat
    d) Bat
13. The /æ/ sound is a:
    a) Long sound
    b) Short sound
    c) Rising sound
    d) Falling sound
14. A word that contrasts with “rat” using the /a:/ sound is:
    a) Cart
    b) Sit
    c) Mat
    d) Pat
15. The sound in “arm” is:
    a) /æ/
    b) /a:/
    c) /e:/
    d) /i:/

Class Activity Discussion:

1. What are long vowel sounds?
   • Long vowel sounds are vowel sounds that last longer when pronounced.
2. Can you give examples of words with long vowel sounds?
   • Examples include “cake,” “beet,” “kite,” “boat,” and “flute.”
3. What is the /æ/ sound?
   • The /æ/ sound is a short, front vowel sound found in words like “cat” and “bat.”
4. What is the /a:/ sound?
   • The /a:/ sound is a long, back vowel sound found in words like “car” and “farm.”
5. How do /æ/ and /a:/ sounds differ?
   • /æ/ is shorter and sharper, while /a:/ is longer and deeper.
6. Give an example of a word with the /æ/ sound.
   • “Cat” is a word with the /æ/ sound.
7. Give an example of a word with the /a:/ sound.
   • “Car” is a word with the /a:/ sound.
8. How can you practice distinguishing /æ/ and /a:/ sounds?
   • By listening and repeating words that have these sounds.
9. What happens to the mouth when pronouncing the /a:/ sound?
   • The mouth opens wide, and the tongue is lowered.
10. Why is it important to know the difference between /æ/ and /a:/?
    • It helps in pronouncing words correctly.
11. How does the /æ/ sound compare to the /a:/ sound?
    • The /æ/ sound is shorter and higher, while the /a:/ sound is longer and lower.
12. Can you think of a pair of words that contrast /æ/ and /a:/?
    • “Bat” and “Bart” contrast /æ/ and /a:/.
13. Which sound is more common in English words, /æ/ or /a:/?
    • Both sounds are common, but /æ/ is more frequent in everyday words.
14. How can rhyming help with understanding vowel sounds?
    • Rhyming shows how different vowel sounds are used in similar words.
15. What is the key difference in mouth position between /æ/ and /a:/?
    • /æ/ is pronounced with the tongue front and low, while /a:/ is pronounced with the mouth wide open and tongue lowered.

Presentation:

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic on short vowel sounds, focusing on the pronunciation and recognition of these sounds.

Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic, emphasizing the long vowel sounds and the specific vowel sounds /æ/ and /a:/, with examples of each. The teacher draws attention to the differences in pronunciation and usage in words.

Step 3: The teacher allows pupils to contribute by pronouncing words with the /æ/ and /a:/ sounds, and encourages them to use these words in sentences. The teacher provides corrections where necessary.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Demonstrate the correct pronunciation of /æ/ and /a:/.
• Use flashcards and audio examples to illustrate the sounds.
• Guide pupils in distinguishing between /æ/ and /a:/ in different words.
• Encourage pupils to use these words in sentences.

Learners’ Activities:

• Listen carefully to the sounds and repeat them.
• Identify the /æ/ and /a:/ sounds in words.
• Participate in sentence construction using words with these vowel sounds.

Assessment:

• Conduct oral exercises where pupils pronounce words with /æ/ and /a:/ sounds.
• Evaluate their ability to distinguish between the sounds in different contexts.

Ten Evaluation Questions:

1. What is the /æ/ sound?
2. How do you pronounce the /a:/ sound?
3. Give an example of a word with the /æ/ sound.
4. What is a long vowel sound?
5. Compare the /æ/ and /a:/ sounds.
6. Can you identify the /a:/ sound in a sentence?
7. What happens to your mouth when you say /æ/?
8. How do /æ/ and /a:/ differ in length?
9. Give a sentence using a word with the /a:/ sound.
10. Why is it important to pronounce these sounds correctly?

Conclusion:

• The teacher goes around to mark the pupils’ work and provides necessary feedback on their pronunciation of /æ/ and /a:/ sounds.

More Useful Links

• Short Vowel Sounds and Speech Work: Intonation Patterns, Stress, and Rhyme Speech Work English Grammar Primary 5 First Term Lesson Notes Week 1