| sheep, lake, shade, baked, dishes, resting |
| feast (eat together), baked (oven finished), dishes (wash plates) |
Magic E Prompt
"Look at the end! Magic 'e' is quiet—it sends all its power to vowel 'a' to say /ay/! c-a-k-e → cake!" Remind students not to pronounce the silent 'e'.
Double EE Train Prompt
"When two 'e's walk together, they smile and say /ee/! Keep the smile going: f-ee-t → feet!" Have students touch both letters together.
Affirmation & Encouragement
"You spotted the vowel team! That was such smooth, confident reading!" Celebrate effort and self-correction immediately.
Assistant Tip: Keep sessions lively, upbeat, and low-stress. Celebrate every vowel attempt with a high-five or thumbs-up! Page 1 of 8
Daily Instructional Plans
25 Minutes per Session
DAY 1
Passage: "The Green Sheep" (Page 5)
Phonics Target:
Letters e-e make long /ee/. Combine with digraphs sh, ch: sheep, cheek, meet, feet, green, weed.
ML Vocabulary with Gestures (TPR):
sheep (pet fluffy wool) • cheek (pat cheek) • weed (pull grass from ground).
0-5m
Sound Warm-Up & Vocab Script (Assistant says):
"Smile big and show your teeth: /ee/! When two 'e's hold hands, they say /ee/. Say it: /ee/! Echo: /sh/ - /ee/ - /p/... sheep! Sheep has our /sh/ digraph and our new /ee/ sound!"
5-15m
Guided Decodable Reading ("The Green Sheep" on Page 5):
1. Model: Read with finger on tracking dots.
2. Echo: Read line-by-line; all 8 echo with fingers touching dots.
3. Meaning: "Where does the green sheep sleep? (By the green tree!)"
15-22m
Partner Whisper Fluency:
Pair students (A & B). Partner A whisper-reads while Partner B tracks with finger. Switch! Assistant praises smooth vowel blending.
22-25m
Quick Check & Star Stamp:
Point to 2 random words (sheep, cheek) on Students 1 & 2's page. Have them read aloud.
DAY 2
Passage: "Bake a Cake" (Page 5)
Phonics Target:
Silent e makes a say its name /ay/! Contrast: cap → cape, mad → made. Target: bake, cake, lake, make, gate.
ML Vocabulary with Gestures (TPR):
bake (stir cake batter in bowl) • lake (wave hand over water) • gate (swing door open).
0-5m
Sound Warm-Up & Magic Wand Script (Assistant says):
"Watch my magic wand! (Tap wand). In 'bake', silent 'e' whispers to 'a': 'Say your name!' It says /b/ /ay/ /k/ → bake! Echo: b-a-k-e... bake! What can we bake? (Do stirring motion)."
5-15m
Guided Decodable Reading ("Bake a Cake" on Page 5):
1. Model: Read with rhythm. Clap on rhyming words (bake, cake, lake).
2. Choral: All 8 read in unison. Keep magic e silent.
3. Detective: "Find the girl's name! Circle Kate!"
15-22m
Partner Whisper Fluency & Magic E Count:
Partners take turns reading. Partner counts magic e words (Kate, bake, cake, lake, gate).
22-25m
Quick Check:
Check Students 3 & 4 on words: bake, cake, lake. Record notes.
Vowel Champions Assistant Guide • Page 2 of 8
Daily Instructional Plans
25 Minutes per Session
DAY 3
Passage: "The Chase in the Shade" (Page 5)
Phonics Target:
Connect magic e with digraphs: sh + ade = shade; ch + ase = chase; wh + ale = whale. Words: shade, chase, shake, whale, brave.
ML Vocabulary with Gestures (TPR):
shade (hand over eyes shielding bright sun) • chase (pump arms like running) • safe (cross arms hugging chest).
0-5m
Sound Warm-Up & Blend Review (Assistant says):
"Finger to lips: /sh/! Add long /a/ and silent e: sh-a-de → shade! Hand over eyes for shade! Now train sound: /ch/! Add long /a/ and silent e: ch-a-se → chase! Run in place for chase!"
5-15m
Guided Decodable Reading ("The Chase in the Shade" on Page 5):
1. Model: Read with suspense and expression.
2. Echo: Read line-by-line; students echo tracking each dot.
3. Meaning: "Where did Chad and pup run? (In the shade!)"
15-22m
Partner Whisper Fluency:
Partners read twice each. Partner listens for smooth blending of shade and chase without stopping between sounds.
22-25m
Quick Check:
Check Students 5 & 6 on words: shade, chase, shake. Mark roster.
DAY 4
Passage: "Kate and the Sweet Treat" (Page 6)
Phonics Target:
Discriminate between long /ee/ (double ee) and long /ay/ (magic a_e): sweet / skate, teeth / plate, meet / make. Solidify vowel recognition.
ML Vocabulary with Gestures (TPR):
sweet (rub tummy licking lips) • plate (make two flat hands) • grape (pretend to pop grape in mouth).
0-5m
Sound Warm-Up & Vowel Duel Script (Assistant says):
"Vowel Duel! When I say /ee/, smile wide and show teeth! When I say /ay/, wave your wand! Ready: sweet... /ee/! skate... /ay/! feet... /ee/! plate... /ay/! Super vowel ears!"
5-15m
Guided Decodable Reading ("Kate and the Sweet Treat" on Page 6):
1. Choral: All 8 read together with assistant at steady, joyful pace.
2. Vowel Hunt: "Find double 'ee' (sweet) and magic 'e' (plate)!"
3. Meaning: "What treat did Kate put on the plate? (Grapes!)"
15-22m
Partner Whisper Fluency & Expression:
Students read to partner with expressive storytelling: "Mmm, sweet grapes!" Partner gives thumbs up.
22-25m
Quick Check:
Check Students 7 & 8 on words: sweet, skate, plate. All 8 checked!
Vowel Champions Assistant Guide • Page 3 of 8
Culminating Day & Assessment
25 Minutes Pacing
DAY 5
Story: "The Lake Camp Feast" (Page 6)
0-5 Min: Long Vowel Rapid Flashcard Chant
"Two 'e's smile wide: /ee/! Magic 'e' taps 'a' to say /ay/! Digraphs sh, ch, th, wh stay strong!" Do rapid flashcards. Everyone does the gesture!
5-14 Min: Cumulative Decodable Reading
Read "The Lake Camp Feast" together. Look for long vowels (lake, baked, green, shade) and endings (dishes, resting). Emphasize smooth phrasing.
14-20 Min: Partner Timed Fluency Sprint
Use Page 8 Fluency Sprint. Students pair up. Partner A reads 12 words in 1 minute while Partner B tallies smiling stars. Switch!
20-25 Min: Exit Slip & Celebration
Students complete the mini exit check on Page 8. Assistant records weekly words-correct and presents each child with their "Vowel Champion" star!
A student pronounces silent 'e':
Put a finger gently over the 'e' on their paper: "Magic 'e' is sleeping! It is totally silent. It gives all its strength to 'a'!"
A student confuses short /e/ & long /ee/:
Exaggerate mouth shape: short /e/ (drop jaw slightly: bed) vs. double /ee/ (stretch mouth wide in huge smile: feet).
A student struggles with digraph + a_e:
Break into chunk + base: first spot sh, then spot ade. Blend like a smooth slide: sh-ade → shade.
Record for classroom teacher review
| Student Name | ee | a_e | sh/ch | th/wh | -ing / -ed | Sprint (WCPM) | Next Instructional Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. ___________________ | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | ____ / 12 | ________________________ |
| 2. ___________________ | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | ____ / 12 | ________________________ |
| 3. ___________________ | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | ____ / 12 | ________________________ |
| 4. ___________________ | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | ____ / 12 | ________________________ |
| 5. ___________________ | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | ____ / 12 | ________________________ |
| 6. ___________________ | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | ____ / 12 | ________________________ |
| 7. ___________________ | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | ____ / 12 | ________________________ |
| 8. ___________________ | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | ____ / 12 | ________________________ |
Turn this log in to the Classroom Teacher or Reading Specialist on Friday afternoon. Vowel Champions Assistant Guide • Page 4 of 8
Student Decodable Folio
Touch each dot • Read smooth and clear!
DAY 1
Focus: Double /ee/ & Digraphs
Word Bank: sheep • green • see • feet • cheek • weed • meet
Dan can see a sweet sheep on the hill.
The sheep has soft feet and a white cheek.
It can munch on a green weed by the shed.
Chad runs to meet the sheep. He pats its back!
Ask student: "What does the sheep munch on by the shed?" Oral Check: [ ]
DAY 2
Focus: Magic e (a_e)
Word Bank: Kate • bake • cake • lake • make • gate
Kate is at the red cabin by the lake.
Kate can make a plan to bake a hot cake.
She stirs the mix with a whisk and shuts the oven gate.
"Mmm!" smiles Kate. "This cake is for my pal Chad!"
Ask student: "Who is the hot cake for?" Oral Check: [ ]
DAY 3
Focus: Magic e + Digraphs
Word Bank: Chad • shade • chase • shake • safe • brave
The hot sun is up, but the big elm tree has cool shade.
Chad and his pup can run and chase!
The pup is brave. He can shake his wet tail.
They sit in the deep shade. They are safe from the sun.
Ask student: "Why do Chad and the pup sit under the big tree?" Oral Check: [ ]
Vowel Champions Assistant Guide • Page 5 of 8
Student Decodable Folio
Touch each dot • Read smooth and clear!
DAY 4
Focus: ee vs. a_e
Word Bank: Kate • sweet • plate • grape • meet • teeth
Kate sets a big tin plate on the deck.
On the plate is a sweet purple grape snack.
Seth comes to meet Kate by the steps.
He bites a grape with his white teeth. "So sweet!" laughs Seth.
Ask student: "What snack did Kate put on the tin plate?" Oral Check: [ ]
DAY 5
ee, a_e, Digraphs & Suffixes
Word Bank: Chad • Kate • lake • shade • baked • green • dishes • resting
Chad and Kate set up camp by the blue lake.
Kate brought fresh baked bread on a wide tray.
They sit in cool shade on the soft green grass.
Chad washes the camp dishes in the tub.
Now they are resting with smiling faces. What a grand feast!
Ask student: "Where do Chad and Kate sit to eat their fresh bread?" Oral Check: [ ]
Partner Reading Fluency Check (Color a Star for Each Read):
Students read the story 3 times to their partner with smooth expression.
☆ Read 1 ☆ Read 2 ☆ Read 3
Vowel Champions Assistant Guide • Page 6 of 8
Student Activity Printable
Name:
Date:
Read the word bank • Write each word in its sound box
Word Bank:
feet bake sheep lake green shade meet gate cheek brave teeth cake
Double ee
long /ee/ sound (sheep, feet)
Magic a_e
long /a/ sound (bake, cake)
Digraph Words
words with sh, ch, th (shade, cheek)
Add silent e • Write the new word
1. cap + e =
2. mad + e =
3. tap + e =
4. hat + e =
Choose the word that makes sense: ( sheep / cake / gate )
The white
rests in the green shade.
Vowel Champions Assistant Guide • Page 7 of 8
Fluency Check & Exit Slips
Instructions: Cut or check directly during session
Students whisper-read to their partner. Partner counts words read in 1 minute.
Goal: 8+ words/min
feet
cake
sheep
lake
green
shade
cheek
gate
meet
brave
teeth
chase
Student Score: ____ / 12 words Partner Check: [ ] Read 1 [ ] Read 2 [ ] Read 3 ☆☆☆ Star Reader!
2-Minute individual mastery verification
Student Exit Slip #1 Name: _____________
Read 3 words aloud to assistant:
1. sheep 2. bake 3. dish
Circle the long vowel: green Result: ☆ ☆ ☆
Student Exit Slip #2 Name: _____________
Read 3 words aloud to assistant:
1. feet 2. cake 3. chop
Circle the magic e: shade Result: ☆ ☆ ☆
Student Exit Slip #3 Name: _____________
Read 3 words aloud to assistant:
1. cheek 2. lake 3. thin
Circle the long vowel: sweet Result: ☆ ☆ ☆
Student Exit Slip #4 Name: _____________
Read 3 words aloud to assistant:
1. meet 2. gate 3. whisk
Circle the magic e: chase Result: ☆ ☆ ☆
Assistant Completion Sign-Off: Week Completed: _________ | Assistant Initials: _________ | Group Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Vowel Champions Assistant Guide • Page 8 of 8
