Compile a list of words beginning with a short vowel sound. Add several words to the list that do not begin with the vowel sound. When you first play this game, make the added words obviously wrong by starting them with consonants. As the children recognize the sounds of the vowels more easily, make the added words start with other vowel sounds so they learn to hear the difference between the sounds. When they have mastered this skill, use words with the vowel sound in the middle of the word. The children should listen as you say each word and say the vowel sound, then the entire word if it begins with the correct vowel sound. If it doesn’t, they should cover their mouths and be quiet.
Hand a group of three students a short vowel letter flashcard. Let them look through the consonants to find two cards to add that will make a consonant-vowel-consonant, or C-V-C, word. Have the students stand in front of the class with their cards in the correct order for the class to say aloud. Continue to play by choosing another group of three students. Give them a different vowel card.
Write a short vowel C-V-C word on the black board. Students will take turns going to the board and saying the word aloud. They will replace one of the consonants to make a new short vowel word and say the new word, such as "bat," "cat," "fat," "hat" and so on. Write a new word when the students run out of words for the one on the board and continue letting the children take turns.
Prepare bingo game boards using short vowels in the squares. Make sure each game board is unique and the center square is free. On small cards, write words using short vowels at the beginning or middle of a word. As you pick a word and read it to the students, they should look for the short vowel sound on their bingo board. If they find it, they should cover it with a chip marker. The first student to get a column, row or diagonal line covered with markers is the winner.