CVC Sounds: The Middle Vowel
Basics on the topic CVC Sounds: The Middle Vowel
CVC Words – Middle Vowels
In this video we learn about CVC words, or consonant-vowel-consonant words, but what does that mean exactly? Words always consist of one or more syllables. Syllables can be formed from consonants and vowels (C for consonant and V for vowel). This creates the structure CVC.
What is a Middle Vowel?
You might already know that medial vowel sounds include the letters, A, E, I, O and, U. These are our vowels. Consonants are every other letter of the alphabet that is not a vowel. When we talk about the middle sound of a CVC word, we mean the vowel in a word. CVC words usually make short vowel sounds, or short medial vowel sounds because they are being hugged by the last consonant.
Finding Vowels in CVC Words
The word C U T is a CVC word with an example of medial vowel sound. Say the word out loud. You will hear two voiceless sounds – /k/ and /t/. The vowel in the middle of the word is voiced – /ʌ/
To find the medial short vowel sounds, or middle vowel in a CVC word, you can do as follows:
First say the word out loud
Next, touch and say each sound we hear
Then, we name the vowel we hear in the middle
Finally, we write that vowel sound in its place.
CVC Words – Examples
Take a look at the following CVC word with the missing middle vowel sound, can you figure out the vowel sound and what the word is?
Remember to say what you think the word is first. Then, sound out each letter of the word and fill in the blank for the vowel sound.
The vowel here is a which makes the short vowel sound – /æ/ in the word [kæt]. The word here is cat!
Let’s try one more! Which vowel sound is shown in this word? Can you tell what the word is?
Remember to say what you think the word is first. Then, sound out each letter of the word and fill in the blank for the vowel sound.
The vowel sound in this word is u which makes the short vowel sound – /ʌ/. The word here is bug – [bʌɡ]!
CVC Words with Medial Short Vowel Sounds – Summary
The English language features a lot of words consisting of just one syllable. Many of these words show the structure CVC – consonant, (short) vowel, consonant. See below how to find the middle sound or middle vowel in CVC words:
| Step # | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Say the word out loud. |
| 2 | Name the vowel you hear in the middle. |
| 3 | Write that vowel in the correct place. |
Have you practiced yet? On this website, you can also find interactive exercises and printable worksheets on CVC words and their middle sounds.
Transcript CVC Sounds: The Middle Vowel
Dee and Kala are packing lunches for their hike today. They’re making sandwiches…
CVC Sounds: The Middle Vowel exercise
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Find the short vowel sound.
HintsYou hear short a at the beginning of the word add.
You hear short e at the beginning of the word elephant.
You hear short i at the beginning of the word itchy.
You hear short o at the beginning of the word octopus.
You hear short u at the beginning of the word up.
Solution- You hear short a at the beginning of apple.
- You hear short e at the beginning of egg.
- You hear short i at the beginning of igloo.
- You hear short o at the beginning of olive.
- You hear short u at the beginning of umbrella.
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Find the CVC words.
HintsA CVC word is a special kind of word made up of three letters that follow the same pattern each time: a consonant, a vowel, and a consonant. For example, the word cat has a consonant (c), a vowel (a), and another consonant (t).
Vowels are the letters a, e, i, o, and u.
Consonants are all the other letters in the alphabet that are not vowels.
SolutionThere are 5 CVC words on the blackboard: job, sun, bag, fin, and pet. Each of these words follow the pattern: consonant, vowel, consonant.
The other words (kite, vote, and late) are not CVC words. These words are called CVCe words, and they follow the pattern: consonant, vowel, consonant, silent e.
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Find the missing middle vowel in a CVC word.
HintsFirst, say the word aloud.
Next, touch and say each sound you hear.
Last, name the vowel you hear in the middle.
Did you forget the sounds that the short vowels make? Use this picture to help!
SolutionTo spell the color of Dee's favorite crayon, you need the short vowel sound e in the middle. The word is spelled: red.
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Match the CVC word to the middle short vowel sound.
HintsFind some paper and a pencil. Draw three blanks for each CVC word. As you say the name of the animal aloud, write down the sounds you hear.
This is a female chicken. What is a female chicken called?
SolutionAll of the animals on the farm have CVC names. The vowels in the middle make a short vowel sound, because they are being hugged by the consonant on the end.
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Insert the middle vowel to make a CVC word.
HintsTo begin, say the word aloud.
Next, touch and say each sound you hear.
Last, name the vowel you hear in the middle.
SolutionHere is how to correctly spell each word with the middle vowel. Read them out loud:
- dog
- nut
- fan
- kid
- web
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Can you group the words?
HintsSay each picture aloud. As you stretch out the sounds, tap your finger for each sound you hear. What sound did you tap in the middle?
Can you spell each picture's name as you sound it out? Remember, they will all be three letters in this order: consonant, vowel, consonant.
Solution- Hat and map both have the short a sound in the middle.
- Net and ten both have the short e sound in the middle.
- Lip and zip both have the short i sound in the middle.
- Log and fox both have the short o sound in the middle.
