An explicit, systematic phonics lesson for UFLI Lesson 96 focusing on diphthongs /ow/ spelled 'ou' and 'ow'. Includes instructional routines, spelling generalizations, three extended decodable stories, a timed fluency reader with text-dependent comprehension questions, and an oral exit ticket check.
The crowd began to cheer and howl with joy. The mayor smiled and placed the shiny crown right on the clown’s head!
Rhyme Matchup:
Find two words in the story that rhyme with each word below:
1. town: _______, _______
2. howl: _______, _______
Expression & Voice Check:
Read Buster's sad question with feeling: "How can I juggle now?"
Quiet Read Partner Read Star Reader!
Quick Check: What fruit did Buster juggle when his balls were lost?
UFLI Foundations • Lesson 96
Decodable Tale 3: The Owl Scout Campout
Skill: Diphthongs ou, ow /ow/
Focus: Cumulative Mixed Review
Name:
Date:
174 Decodable Words
Warm-Up Word Bank (Sound Out Before Reading):
campout sprout trout prowl south count
The Scout troop packed their heavy bags for the big spring campout. They hiked south through the green woods until they found a clearing with soft ground. The sun began to go down behind a pink and violet cloud.
"First, we must set up our tents," shouted Scout Leader Brown. "Drive the pegs down into the ground so the wind will not blow the tents out!"
Next, the troop went down to the rushing brook to catch fresh trout for dinner. After eating, they sat around the campfire and watched the yellow sparks fly up. A brown barn owl perched high up on a pine branch. The owl blinked its round, gold eyes and let out a loud hoot: "Hoo-hoo-howl!"
A sly racoon began to prowl near the food pouch, but Scout clapped her hands with a sharp snap. The beast bounded out into the dark brush. The scouts began to count the glowing stars above. Soon, each tired scout crawled into a sleeping bag without making a single sound.
Diphthong Sorting Box:
Write two /ow/ words from the text under each rule column:
Spelled 'ou':
1. ____________
2. ____________
Spelled 'ow':
1. ____________
2. ____________
Master Scout Badge:
Did you read smoothly without stopping on vowel diphthongs?
✓ Accurate ✓ Fluent ✓ Scout Star
Quick Check: What did the scouts count before crawling into their sleeping bags?
1. Why did the crowd gather below the town tower in the morning?
A) The clock struck twelve times.
B) A strange sound came from the rafters.
C) A lost hound ran into the bakery.
D) Dark storm clouds brought heavy hail.
2. What did Scout find trapped behind the big clock gear?
A) A shivering little brown puppy.
B) A funny clown with three yellow lemons.
C) A fluffy brown barn owl with glowing eyes.
D) A sleek black cat hunting for food.
3. How did the animal get trapped inside the dark clock tower?
A) It flew in through an open tower vent.
B) Scout carried it up the tower stairs.
C) A heavy gust of wind blew the door open.
D) It was chasing a mouse across the roof.
4. How did Scout solve the problem without scaring the owl?
A) She shouted loudly down to the crowd.
B) She gently opened the tower window wide.
C) She wrapped the bird in a heavy coat.
D) She turned the giant clock hands to 12.
5. Which word from the story has the /ow/ sound spelled with 'ou'?
A) crowd
B) town
C) shout
D) brown
Text Evidence Citation: Which line proves the answer to Question 4?
