The document explains the difference between short 'a' and long 'a' sounds in words for grade 4 students. It highlights that short 'a' occurs when a single vowel is between two consonants, while long 'a' can occur with two vowels when the first vowel is pronounced and the second is silent, a concept referred to as the 'vce pattern'. Examples of words and spelling patterns that demonstrate these sounds are provided.

1. Short a & long a sounds
Grade4 28th
August 2024

2. Share words they know with 'a' sounds.
• "What do you notice about how these words are spelled? Do
they all sound the same?"
hat
bat cake
lake

3. bat
this is the short 'a' sound.
hat

4. Why is the sound “a” in the word bat and hat short
“a” not long?
bat
When there is one vowel between two consonants in a word,
the vowel is usually short.
hat
Extra words
Fact & rat &cat & cap
Vowel letters
“ a, e, I, o, u”

5. plane date
this is the long 'a' sound.

6. Why is the sound “a” in the word plane and date long “a”?
Plane date
When there are two vowels in a word, the first vowel usually makes the
long sound, and the second vowel is silent. “Vce pattern”
Extra words
cake bake lake

7. The Vce pattern: also known as the “magic E” or “silent
E” pattern, is a common spelling pattern in English.
V stands for vowel.
C stands for consonant.
e is a silent e at the end of the word.
There are several long a spellings: a_ e, ai, ay, and ea.