Mastering the Long Vowel Sound /a:/ in Speech Speech Work English Grammar JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 8

Subject: English Grammar (Speech Work)

Class: JSS 1

Term: First Term

Week: 8

Topic: Vowel Sound /a:/

Duration:

40 minutes

Age:

12–13 years

Behavioral Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Identify the vowel sound /a:/.
2. Pronounce words with the /a:/ sound correctly.
3. Differentiate between /a:/ and other similar vowel sounds.
4. Use the /a:/ sound in sentences.

Keywords:

• Vowel
• /a:/ sound
• Pronunciation
• Phonetics
• Elongation

Set Induction:

The teacher will pronounce several words with different vowel sounds and ask students to identify the differences in the sounds.

Entry Behavior:

Students are familiar with basic vowel sounds and have been practicing speech work.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Phonetic chart
• Flashcards with words containing the /a:/ sound
• Audio recordings of native speakers using the /a:/ sound

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Students have encountered vowel sounds in previous lessons and are now moving to more advanced vowel sounds, including the long vowel sound /a:/.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Listening and speaking
• Phonetic awareness
• Pronunciation practice

Learning Materials:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Audio recordings or phonetic tools for pronunciation
• Writing materials

Instructional Materials:

• Phonetic symbols chart
• Flashcards
• Sound recordings for phonetic exercises

Content:

The Vowel Sound /a:/

• The vowel sound /a:/ is a long vowel sound.
• It is pronounced by opening the mouth wide and drawing out the sound. The tongue is placed low in the mouth, and the lips remain unrounded.
• The /a:/ sound is represented by the following symbol: /a:/.

Examples of words with the /a:/ sound:

1. Car
2. Father
3. Park
4. Heart
5. Start
6. Calm
7. Dark
8. March

Pronunciation Practice:

• /a:/ is often found in words where the “a” is followed by “r” or where the vowel is long.
• Practice pronouncing the words slowly, elongating the /a:/ sound.

Presentation:

1. Step 1: Introduce the /a:/ sound.
   • Teacher’s Activities: Demonstrate the correct pronunciation of the /a:/ sound using a few examples such as “car” and “park.”
   • Learners’ Activities: Repeat after the teacher, practicing the /a:/ sound in isolation.
2. Step 2: Pronounce words containing the /a:/ sound.
   • Teacher’s Activities: Provide a list of words that contain the /a:/ sound. Have students read the words aloud.
   • Learners’ Activities: Practice reading and pronouncing words with the /a:/ sound, focusing on elongating the vowel.
3. Step 3: Differentiate between /a:/ and other sounds.
   • Teacher’s Activities: Introduce similar vowel sounds such as /æ/ (as in “cat”) and show how they differ from /a:/.
   • Learners’ Activities: Practice distinguishing between the sounds by reading words such as “car” (/a:/) and “cat” (/æ/).

Teacher’s Activities:

• Provide examples of words with the /a:/ sound.
• Engage students in pronunciation drills.
• Facilitate activities to help students differentiate the /a:/ sound from other vowel sounds.

Learners’ Activities:

• Listen and repeat words with the /a:/ sound.
• Participate in exercises comparing /a:/ with other vowel sounds.
• Use the /a:/ sound in spoken sentences.

Assessment:

1. Pronounce the following words correctly: car, heart, dark, calm, march.
2. Differentiate between these pairs of words: car vs. cat, march vs. match, father vs. fat.
3. Identify the /a:/ sound in these sentences:
   • The car is parked in the garage.
   • My father loves to start his day with coffee.
   • We walked through the dark park.
4. Fill in the blanks with words containing the /a:/ sound:
   1. The _____ (car) is red.
   2. We went to the _____ (park) on Sunday.
   3. She loves the _____ (art) museum.
5. Write five words that contain the /a:/ sound.

Conclusion:

The teacher will summarize the lesson by reviewing the key points about the /a:/ sound, providing additional pronunciation practice, and correcting any errors students may have made. Students will be encouraged to continue practicing this vowel sound in their daily speech.

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