Getting started
Short vowels and CVC words
CVC words are consonant-vowel-consonant words like “cat”, “bed” and “pin”. They are where most readers start, because the vowel says its short sound and every letter maps to one sound in order, so a student can blend the word without needing any exceptions explained.
A closed syllable is one where a single vowel is followed by at least one consonant, and that consonant closes the vowel in so it says its short sound. CVC words are the simplest closed syllables, which is why they come first in almost every scope and sequence.
Patterns and example words
Every word below is from the word list Cody generates from, not a hand-picked sample. The count is how many words in that list carry the pattern.
short a
18,599 wordsam and had has have having that as at cannot than after back backed backing backs last lasted lasting lasts man manned manning mans
short e
20,451 wordsthem went there get gets getting when well wells very then where needed tell telling tells before men felt help helped helping helpings helps
short i
15,447 wordsis in it its him his with this did will willed willing if which think thinking thinks into give given gives giving thing things
short o
11,132 wordsnot on gone cannot got gotten long longed longer longest longing longs problem problems lot lots off follow followed following follows money job jobs
short u
6,364 wordsus but up just much such number numbered numbering numbers putting countries country studied studies study studying begun run running runs under money result
1 syllable closed
6,980 wordsam is was and of in had has it its him his them not that us on with this did done as at but
Curricula that teach this
Cody generates material against the scope and sequence you already teach. This skill appears in Custom Pattern Selection, Reading Simplified: 1st Grade Pathway, Reading Simplified: 2nd Grade & Up Pathway, Reading Simplified: Kindergarten Pathway, Slant System, UFLI Inspired.
Common questions
What is a CVC word?
A word made of a consonant, then a short vowel, then a consonant: cat, bed, pin, hop, cup. Each letter makes one sound, in order.
Make a decodable story for this skill
Cody generates stories, word lists and worksheets constrained to the patterns a student has already been taught, so practice on short vowels and cvc words does not smuggle in something they have not met yet.