AI and AY: complete no-prep unit
Everything to teach and practise ai ay in one week: ai and ay both say a as in its name; ai is usually inside a word (rain), ay usually at the end (day). Read it, sort it, spell it and use it in sentences.
For: Kindergarten to 2nd grade teachers, tutors and parents
A cover page with the plan, then 7 worksheets in order (8 pages). Free, no sign-up.
Free, no sign-up. US Letter size. Download A4 instead · Open to print
Save to PinterestWhy one pattern at a time
- Systematic phonics teaches one spelling pattern at a time, in a set order, until it is automatic.
- Reading (decoding) and spelling (encoding) the same pattern in the same week makes it stick.
- Words in this unit: rain, tail, mail, pail, sail, wait, paint, train, snail, nail, day, play…
How to use the unit
- Day 1: introduce the pattern and read and match. Day 2: sort. Day 3: roll and read. Day 4: sentences. Day 5: dictation and spelling.
- Say the sound every time you point to the pattern letters.
- Keep earlier patterns in review: mix old words into the roll and read.
- Children who need more time can repeat a day; the sheets work in any order.
The planstep by step.
1Day 1: meet the pattern
Read the pattern words and match them to pictures.
2Day 2: sort it
Is it ai or ay? Read and sort.
3Day 3: read fast
Roll and read the pattern words until they come quickly.
4Day 4: read sentences
Decodable sentences with the pattern: read and draw.
5Day 5: spell it
Dictation and spelling practice.
In which order should phonics patterns be taught?
How long should we spend on one pattern?
The LetterSchool app
Between worksheets: practise in the app
The same letter shapes as this sheet, with instant feedback on every line, animations and stars. Children play, and learn the right formation.