Exploring Words with "AU"

Curriculum Area and Level:

English Language Arts, Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
Grade 2 (Second Grade) –

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.B: Know spelling-sound correspondences for additional common vowel teams.

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Lesson Objective:

By the end of this 30-minute lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify words with the irregular vowel combination "AU" in print and speech.
2. Read and pronounce a variety of "AU" words correctly.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the meaning of "AU" words by using them in sentences.

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Materials Needed:

• Flashcards with "AU" words (e.g., "fault," "haunt," "pause," "launch").
• Whiteboard and markers.
• Small individual whiteboards for each student.
• "AU Word Treasure Hunt" worksheet.
• Picture cards representing "AU" words.
• A simple poem or story that includes "AU" words (printed or displayed).
• A soft ball for a word game.

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Lesson Breakdown: (30 Minutes)

1. Warm-Up Activity (5 Minutes)

Purpose: Activate prior knowledge and tune in to the sound of "AU."

1. Gather the students in a circle and share the following riddle:
   "I'm a two-letter team and my sound is /aw/! Some call me odd, but you'll see my charm. Who am I?"

   • Discuss with the students how some letter combinations don’t follow regular vowel-sound rules. Introduce "AU" and explain its unique sound (similar to "aw").

2. Quick sound exercise: Teacher pronounces a mix of "AU" words (like "pause," "fault") and non-"AU" words (like "cat," "run").

   • Students respond with thumbs up for "AU words" and thumbs down for non-"AU words."

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2. Explicit Teaching (10 Minutes)

Purpose: Teach the irregular vowel combination "AU" in an engaging and hands-on manner.

a. Introduce "AU" Words Using Flashcards (5 Minutes)

• Show one "AU" word at a time (e.g., "haul") on a flashcard.
• Say it aloud, and have the students repeat it.
• Use it in a fun sentence/context: "We haul heavy boxes during moving day!"
• Repeat this with 6-8 common "AU" words (e.g., cause, pause, fault, haul, launch, auto).
• Discuss meanings of words briefly with visual aids (e.g., a picture of a rocket launching).

b. Decoding and Spelling Practice (5 Minutes)

• Teacher writes "AU" words slowly on the board, emphasizing the "AU" as a standout in the word.
• Students "skywrite" the letters with their fingers, tracing them in the air.
• Students copy these words onto their individual whiteboards.

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3. Interactive Practice (10 Minutes)

Purpose: Provide practice in identifying, reading, and understanding "AU" words.

a. "AU Word Treasure Hunt!" (5 Minutes)

1. Hand each student the treasure hunt worksheet with pictures and partial spellings of "AU" words (e.g., a picture of a launch pad and "a_u_n_c_h").
2. Students work to identify and complete the words.
3. Bonus: Students color the picture next to each word.

b. Team Word Game: "Hot Potato" (5 Minutes)

1. Use a soft ball for this game. Students pass the ball while the teacher sings/claps a rhythmic beat.
2. When the beat stops, whoever is holding the ball must:
   • Say a new "AU" word from memory OR
   • Read aloud an "AU" word shown on the teacher’s flashcard.
3. Encourage friendly repetition so all students stay involved.

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4. Wrap-Up and Closing (5 Minutes)

Purpose: Reinforce learning through creative sentence-building.

1. Each student chooses an "AU" word they learned from the lesson and uses it in a short sentence aloud.
   • Example: "I paused before crossing the street."
2. Quickly revisit the riddle to check their understanding of "AU."
3. Praise effort and participation with quick positive feedback!

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Homework/Extension Activity:

Send home a simple paragraph/story that contains 10-12 "AU words". Ask students to underline the words with the "AU" vowel team and read it aloud to a family member.

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Assessment:

1. Observation during whiteboard spelling and hot potato games.
2. Completion of the treasure hunt worksheet.
3. Student sentences during the wrap-up activity.

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Teacher Notes:

• Consider differentiating for students who may need extra help or who excel in decoding.
• Use enthusiastic, age-appropriate language and visuals to keep second graders engaged.
• Encourage repetition and modeling throughout the lesson.