Treasure Tales Decodables UFLI Lesson 94 Decodable Passage 1 of 3
Name:
Date:
Target Concept ea = /ĕ/ (short e)
Heather's Heavy Bread
Total Word Count 138 words
Sound Detective Preview: Look for ea sounding like /ĕ/
Heather bread heavy breakfast spread ready feather sweat health thread
1
Early in the morning, Heather jumped out of bed to bake fresh breakfast. She wanted to make a big loaf of wheat bread for her family. Her mother said that whole grain was good for their health and gave them energy.
2
Heather mixed yeast, water, and flour in a huge metal pan. When the dough was ready, she began to knead it with her hands. The thick dough felt as heavy as a lead brick! Beads of sweat ran down Heather’s head.
3
"This dough will not defeat me," whispered Heather. She pulled, pressed, and shaped the loaf with steady hands. She baked it until the crust was a golden brown. To test it, she checked if it felt as light as a feather inside.
4
It was! Heather cut thick slices and used a knife to spread sweet plum jam on top. Her family loved the warm bread, and Heather felt glad her hard work paid off.
Word Hunt Task
Highlight or circle all words with ea pronouncing the short /ĕ/ sound. Can you find at least 8 words in the text?
Reading Practice Log
Read 1:
Read 2:
Read 3:
UFLI Lesson 94 Decodable Passage 2 of 3
Name:
Date:
Target Concept a = /ŏ/ after /w/ and /kw/
The Wasp in the Swamp
Total Word Count 142 words
Sound Detective Preview: Look for a sounding like /ŏ/
swamp wasp watch wander wand squash swan wash squat waffle
1
Walter took his wooden wand and decided to wander down to the murky swamp. His mother told him to watch his step because damp mud could make him slip. He wanted to spot a graceful white swan gliding across the pond.
2
As Walter reached the tall reeds, he had to squat down low. Suddenly, a giant yellow wasp zoomed past his nose! Walter dropped his wand into the muck. He tried not to swat at the wasp because angry bugs can sting.
3
The wasp landed on a ripe wild squash plant near the bank. Walter stayed still and did not make a sound. The wasp drank drops of dew from the green leaf and then flew off toward the pine woods.
4
Walter grabbed his stick and ran home to wash his dirty hands and muddy boots. After that big adventure, he ate a warm waffle with sweet syrup for lunch!
Word Hunt Task
Highlight or underline all words where letter a makes the /ŏ/ sound after /w/ or /kw/. Did you spot all 8 target words?
Reading Practice Log
Read 1:
Read 2:
Read 3:
UFLI Lesson 94 Decodable Passage 3 of 3
Name:
Date:
Combined Challenge ea = /ĕ/ & a = /ŏ/
Bad Weather at the Cabin
Total Word Count 147 words
Sound Detective Preview: Two Tricky Vowel Shifts in One Story!
ea = /ĕ/: weather, sweater, leather, ready, bread, spread, heavy
a = /ŏ/: watch, wash, swamp, wand, want, wander, squash
1
The weather turned chilly near the mountain cabin. A cold mist rose up from the swamp. Ben put on his thick wool sweater and grabbed his sturdy leather boots. He had to be ready before the heavy rain began.
2
Ben looked at his silver watch. It was past noon, and he wanted to wander down to the shed to fetch firewood. Outside, he saw rain wash over the porch steps. A wet gust of wind blew dried leaves across the path.
3
Ben carried an armload of heavy logs inside. He stacked them neatly near the fireplace. His hands felt cold, so he took a minute to wash them with warm soapy water at the kitchen sink.
4
Soon, a warm fire crackled in the grate. Ben toasted crusty bread and began to spread creamy honey over each slice. He felt snug inside while listening to the stormy weather shake the windowpanes.
Partner Reading Check
Read aloud with a partner. Color yellow for each ea (/ĕ/) word and color green for each a (/ŏ/) word you read correctly.
Comprehension Quick Check
Why did Ben put on a sweater and leather boots? Tell your teacher or partner using details from the text.
Squash Patch Decodable Reader UFLI Lesson 94 Fluency Reader
Name:
Date:
Phonics Focus ea /ĕ/ (bread) & a /ŏ/ (watch, wash)
The Secret in the Squash Patch
Total Words 165 Words
Directions: Read smoothly with expression. Notice how ea makes /ĕ/ and a makes /ŏ/. Running record count on right →
Seth pulled on his thick wool sweater and zipped his heavy leather jacket. The crisp morning weather made him shiver, but he was ready for a big job. He wanted to pick ripe pumpkins and squash from his grandfather's garden before the afternoon rain.
45
Seth carried a deep wooden basket down to the fence. As he walked past the murky swamp edge, he stopped to check his watch. A loud buzzing noise filled the cool air. Seth had to squat down low behind a wooden post. A giant black wasp hovered over a blooming squash vine!
99
Seth held his breath so he would not swat at the bug. He watched the wasp drink sweet nectar and fly into the woods. With steady hands, Seth cut three massive green squash. The basket felt as heavy as lead, making drops of sweat trickle down his forehead.
146
Seth rushed home to wash his muddy hands and feast on warm wheat bread.
165
1-Minute Timed Fluency Tracker
Goal: 85–110+ WCPM with high accuracy
Cold Read (Trial 1)
Words ____
Errors ____
WCPM ____
Practice (Trial 2)
Words ____
Errors ____
WCPM ____
Hot Read (Trial 3)
Words ____
Errors ____
WCPM ____
Expression & Phrasing:
1 (Word-by-word) 2 (Some pauses) 3 (Smooth & fluent)
UFLI Lesson 94 Comprehension Check
Passage: The Secret in the Squash Patch
Reading Comprehension Assessment
Choose the best answer for each question. Fill in the bubble next to your choice.
Score: / 5
1. What clothing did Seth wear because the morning weather was cold?
A A light cotton shirt and shorts
B A wool sweater and a leather jacket
C A rain poncho and rubber boots
D A heavy winter scarf and mittens
2. Why did Seth squat down low behind a wooden post?
A He lost his watch in the muddy grass
B A giant wasp was buzzing near the vine
C He wanted to take a nap under the plants
D He tripped over his heavy wooden basket
Verbal Check Exit Ticket UFLI Lesson 94 Exit Ticket: Verbal Check
Name:
Date:
Quick Reading Check
Vowel Sound Switch Challenge
Read each word aloud clearly to your teacher. Watch out for silly monster words!
Total Words 10 Words
Part 1: Real Words
Read across the row
Word 1 bread
Word 2 watch
Word 3 sweat
Word 4 swamp
Word 5 leather
Word 6 waffle
Part 2: Nonsense Words (Silly Monster Words)
Use your sound switch rules!
7 Monster Word
smead
8 Monster Word
quab
9 Monster Word
flead
10 Monster Word
waff
Student Reflection: How do you feel about these vowel sounds?
I need more practice I am getting the hang of it I am a sound master!
Teacher Score ___ / 10
Teacher Scoring Protocol UFLI Lesson 94 Verbal Check
Individual Diagnostic Record
Administration & Scoring Instructions:
Place the student reading card in front of the student. Ask them to read across the rows from 1 to 10. Mark ✓ for correct decoding, or write the student's phonetic substitution (e.g., if they read bread with long /ē/, write "breed"). Give 3 seconds per word before prompting next.
# Target Word Pattern Type Common Miscue Score Notes / Error Code 1 bread ea = /ĕ/ Real "breed" (/ē/) 0 1 2 watch a = /ŏ/ Real "wætch" (/æ/) 0 1 3 sweat ea = /ĕ/ Real "sweet" (/ē/) 0 1 4 swamp a = /ŏ/ Real "swæmp" (/æ/) 0 1 5 leather ea = /ĕ/ Real "leether" (/ē/) 0 1 6 waffle a = /ŏ/ Real "wæffle" (/æ/)
Sound Switch Slides UFLI Lesson 94 Foundations Phonics Routine
Step-by-Step Instruction
New Vowel Sound Shifts
The Vowel Sound Switch
Unlocking ea saying /ĕ/ and a saying /ŏ/
Listen carefully • Look at the mouth • Read the words
UFLI Foundations
Step 1: Warm-Up
Phonemic Sound Switch
Listen & Match the Vowel
Sound Check A
/ĕ/ as in bread
Usually, ea says /ē/ like in team . But in special words, it switches to short /ĕ/ !
Listen: b-r-ea-d → /b/ /r/ /ĕ/ /d/ • bread!
Sound Check B
/ŏ/ as in watch
When letter a follows /w/ or /kw/ , your lips round and the sound switches to /ŏ/ !
Listen: w-a-sh → /w/ /ŏ/ /sh/ • wash!
Teacher: "Say the sounds after me: /b/ /r/ /ĕ/ /d/ — what word? Bread!"
New Concept 1
Vowel Team: ea = /ĕ/
Keyword: Bread
ea
Sound & Keyword /ĕ/ • bread, head
Mouth Shape Open & Relaxed
Memory Clue:
"Pat your head, smell the warm bread!"
Watch out: When you see ea , try /ē/ first. If that doesn't make sense, try the sound switch to /ĕ/ !
Word Blending
Read the Words: ea = /ĕ/
Sound It Out!
/h/ /ĕ/ /d/ head
/b/ /r/ /ĕ/ /d/ bread
/d/ /ĕ/ /f/ deaf
/th/ /r/ /ĕ/ /d/ thread
/s/ /w/ /ĕ/ /t/ sweat
/h/ /ĕ/ /v/ /ē/ heavy
Tap the sounds on your fingers, then sweep and blend the word!
New Concept 2
Letter a = /ŏ/ after /w/ and /kw/
Keywords: Watch, Wash
wa / qua
Sound Rule a makes /ŏ/
Mouth Shape Rounded Lips
Why does this happen?
The mouth gets ready for /w/ by rounding the lips, pulling the short /ă/ into /ŏ/!
Examples: watch , wash , wasp , swamp , squash , wander
Word Blending
Read the Words: a = /ŏ/
Sound It Out!
/w/ /ŏ/ /sh/ wash
/w/ /ŏ/ /ch/ watch
Sound Switch Teacher Guide Teacher Implementation Guide UFLI Foundations • Lesson 94
Estimated Time: 35–45 Minutes
Phonics Concepts
Vowel Sound Shifts: ea /ĕ/ and a /ŏ/
Concept 1 ea = /ĕ/ (bread)
Concept 2 a = /ŏ/ (watch)
Step 1 Phonemic Awareness Warm-Up (3–4 min)
Sound Isolation
Teacher Script: "Today we are listening for vowel shifts. I will say sounds; blend them to tell me the word: /b/ /r/ /ĕ/ /d/ → bread ; /h/ /ĕ/ /d/ → head ; /w/ /ŏ/ /sh/ → wash ; /s/ /w/ /ŏ/ /m/ /p/ → swamp ."
Step 2 & 3 Visual & Auditory Drills (5 min)
Review & Rapid Recall
Visual: Flash cards: ee, ea (/ē/), ai, ay, oa, igh, ar, or . Prompt: "Card?" → Students: "e-a" → "Sound?" → "Usually /ē/, but today /ĕ/!"Auditory: Teacher says: "Write the spelling for /ĕ/." Students write e and ea on dry-erase boards.
Step 4 Blending Drill (5 min)
Word Building
ea = /ĕ/ Sequence: head → dead → dread → thread → threat
a = /ŏ/ Sequence: wash → wasp → wand → want → swamp
Step 5 Explicit Concept Instruction (10 min)
New Teaching
Rule 1 (ea = /ĕ/): Explain that while ea most commonly says long /ē/ (as in eat or meat ), in English it can also represent short /ĕ/. Gesture: Pat head ("bread on my head!"). Practice flex strategy: If /ē/ does not make a real word, flex to /ĕ/.
Rule 2 (a = /ŏ/ after /w/ & /kw/): When the letter a follows w or qu , the rounded lip shape of the /w/ sound pulls the vowel back in the throat, transforming /ă/ into /ŏ/ (as in watch, wash, swamp, squash ).
Common Misconception & Immediate Corrective Feedback:
If a student reads bread as "breed" (/ē/): "You tried the most common sound /ē/. That is great phonics thinking! Now try the vowel switch to short /ĕ/. Does that make a real word?"
Teacher Implementation Guide UFLI Lesson 94 • Part 2
Dictation & Practice Materials
Step 6 & 7 Word Work & Spelling Dictation (10 min)
Sound-to-Letter Mapping
Single Word Dictation:
head (/h/ /ĕ/ /d/ • 3 sounds)
bread (/b/ /r/ /ĕ/ /d/ • 4 sounds)
wash (/w/ /ŏ/ /sh/ • 3 sounds)
swamp (/s/ /w/ /ŏ/ /m/ /p/ • 5 sounds)
