Create two mnemonic-device sentences to sum up the two major variations in vowel use in the English language. As an educator, you know that when one vowel is present in a short ,one-syllable word, the rule is that it usually sounds as its "short relative," as in: had, bed, cop or chad. This can be summed up as "The One-Vowel Rule: Short but Sweet!" In short, one-syllable words with two vowels, the first generally has the long sound just as it sounds when reciting the alphabet, such as: came, cone and excuse. This can be summed up as "The Two Vowel Rule: First I Long, Then I Short!"
Provide a mnemonic device to illustrate that every syllable in the English language must have at least one vowel. The word "syllable" itself can be used as an example of this rule by breaking it apart as follows (the letter y in this word takes the place of a vowel, and therefore functions as a vowel): syll a ble. This word has three syllables. First syllable has the vowel "y", second syllable has the vowel "a" and the third syllable has the vowel "e". To sum up using a mnemonic device you could use something similar to the following: "No syllable is without its friend, who is a vowel."
Devise a mnemonic device to help your student remember the general rule that when the letter "G" is followed by "E," "I" or "Y", that it has the sound of the letter "J" as in gem, gym, or gist. Such a mnemonic device could be crafted as follows: "G e i y, G is like a gem and this is no lie."
Devise a mnemonic device to help your student remember the general rule that when the letter "C" is followed by "E," "I" or "Y", that it has the sound of the letter "S," as in cyst, civil, or cymbal. Such a mnemonic device may be something such as: "C e i y, you can see it and so can I!"
Draft easy-to-remember mnemonic rhymes for any vowel rule you desire the student to remember with the least difficulty possible. Always try to make such mnemonic device sentences humorous if at all possible, as humor is an easily remembered occasion.