Long I: Unlock 9 ways to spell sound, word list, teaching tips

The English language can be a tricky beast, and vowels are no exception. The long I sound, for instance, can be spelled in a surprising number of ways! This article will explore all 8 methods for writing the long I sound, providing clear examples and word lists for each.

The long I sound: A refresher

The long I sound, as in “ice” or “ride” is a stretched version of the short I sound heard in “bit” or “win”. It’s a high-pitched sound produced with the tongue raised towards the roof of the mouth.

Now, let’s delve into the 9 ways to spell this versatile sound:

1. I as in item – download word list

Simple and straightforward, this is the most common way to spell the long I sound, appearing in words like:

• idea
• item
• iron
• tiny
• silent
• lion
• find
• kind
• wild
• mild
• child
• final
• climb
• pilot
• shiny
• spider
• spider

2. IE as in fries – download word list

There are only four words in the English language that use “ie” to make the long I sound. The others are past tense and plural words. See them all in IE Stories.

• lie
• pie
• tie
• die
• tried
• fried
• cried
• lies
• pies
• ties
• fries
• cries

3. I-E as in ice – download word list

The silent “e” at the end often signals a long vowel sound, including the long I:

• ice
• line
• hide
• size
• bike
• like
• life
• time
• like
• bike
• kite
• pipe
• ripe
• wipe
• bride
• shine
• prize

4. IGH as in high – download word list

In this combination, “gh” is silent, leaving the “i” to carry the long I sound:

• high
• sigh
• light
• night
• fight
• right
• sight
• tight
• might
• bright
• knight
• flight
• delight
• tonight
• highway

5. Y as in sky – download word list

The letter “y” can take on many sounds, but at the end of a syllable (or sometimes in the middle), it often represents the long I:

• by
• my
• why
• sly
• shy
• fry
• fly
• try
• dry
• sky
• spy
• cyan
• cycle
• deny
• apply
• cycle
• reply
• multiply

6. Y-E as in rhyme – download word list

Less common, but present, “ye” appears in just a few words with the long I sound:

• type
• hype
• byte
• style
• thyme
• rhyme
• pyre
• tyre

7. UI as in disguise – download word list

The letter combination “ui” can be tricky! While it often makes a short I sound like in “build” and “guilty”, it can also represent the long I sound.

• guide
• guidance
• guile
• guise
• beguile
• disguise

8. EI as in heist

This combination is uncommon, but it does appear in a handful of words. Read about them in EI Stories.

• heist
• feist
• feisty
• either (pronounced “ee-ther” or “eye-ther”)

9. EIGH as in height

This is the rarest way to spell the long I sound, only showing up in a single word:

• height

Teaching tips for the long I sound: Expanding the toolkit

Here’s how you can take the core strategies mentioned earlier and turn them into engaging learning experiences:

1. Visuals and sounds

Match the long I: Create flashcards with pictures and corresponding words for each spelling pattern (e.g., picture of a kite with the word “kite”). Students can then find the matching spelling card (i, ie, igh, etc.).

Sound collage: Collect pictures from magazines or old books showcasing long I words. Students sort the pictures into categories based on the spelling pattern used (i, ie, etc.). As they sort, encourage them to pronounce the words aloud, emphasising the targeted sound.

2. Sing it out!

Long I song: Craft a catchy song that incorporates different spellings for the long I sound. Here’s a simple example (to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”):

“I like pie, pie, pie, with a long I sound, High up in the sky, the kite can be found. Fight, might, night, light, the igh makes the sound so bright, Yellow and fly, the long I takes flight!”

Spelling chant: Create a chant that emphasises the different spelling patterns. For example:

“I says ‘i’ like in ‘like’,” (clap) “ie says ‘i’ like in ‘pie’,” (clap) “Silent e says ‘i’ like in ‘bike’,” (clap)

3. Playful practise

Bingo: Make bingo cards with squares containing pictures or words featuring different spellings. Call out words, and students mark the corresponding squares. The first one to complete a line or bingo wins.

“I Spy” with a twist: Play “I Spy” but focus on finding objects whose names have the targeted sound. Players take turns giving clues like “I spy with my little eye something that flies high (kite).”

4. Read, read, read!

Decodable readers: Utilise books specifically designed with controlled vocabulary that focusses on the targeted sound. These books can help build confidence in young readers as they encounter different spellings for the sound.

Highlight the “i”: When reading together, encourage children to point out or underline words with the sound. Discuss the different spellings they encounter and how they sound the same.

Silly sentences: Create silly sentences together that include a variety of words with the targeted sound. For example, “The tiny pie flew high in the sky.”

Conclusion

Mastering the long I sound can feel like a challenge for young learners, but with the right approach, it can be a fun and rewarding journey. By incorporating a variety of engaging activities – from creating visual aids to singing silly songs – you can transform memorisation into active learning. Remember, the key is to cater to different learning styles. Some children might thrive with visual tools like flashcards and matching games, while others might respond better to the rhythmic nature of chants and songs. Ultimately, the goal is to create a positive learning environment where exploration and experimentation are encouraged. As children gain confidence in identifying and pronouncing the targeted sound in its various forms, they’ll be well on their way to becoming strong readers and spellers. So, have fun, get creative, and let the adventures begin!

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See also:

Rime vs Rhyme: Learn the difference with this guide and 10 fun books

Rimes: Why it’s crucial for children to unlock the secrets of language

Decoding: Focus on 6 steps when sounding out words

Reading methods evolve: How we teach children to read has changed drastically

IE words: Download 5 free worksheets with this vowel team

IE in words: 11 lists of rimes for spelling activities

IE ending words: Learn to spell with word list

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