Free Printable - EE Vowel Digraph Student Activity Page Phonics

This double letters ee learning printable is a great resource for preschool children. Use this language student activity page to create hands-on learning-to-read activities for your students and ee phonogram activities.

Phonics is an essential component of language learning in the Montessori classroom. Here are some reasons why:

Helps children learn the sounds of letters- Phonics instruction helps children understand the relationship between letters and sounds. This will help students decode words more quickly and accurately.
Improves reading skills- Phonics instruction provides the foundational skills necessary for strong reading skills. Children who learn to recognize letter sounds and decode words are better equipped to read fluently.
Supports spelling skills- Understanding phonetic sounds can help children with spelling. When children understand how words are put together from sounds, they can more easily spell unfamiliar words.
Builds vocabulary- When children learn phonics, they are introduced to a larger number of words. Understanding these words and how they are put together builds their vocabulary.
Helps with overall language development- Phonics instruction supports overall language development. By learning the sounds of letters, children have a better understanding of how language works, which ultimately leads to stronger language skills.

Overall, phonics is an essential tool in the Montessori classroom because it provides the foundation for strong language skills.

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how to teach phonics to preschool children in the Montessori classroom

Use Phonics Materials: One of the best ways to teach phonics in a Montessori classroom is by using phonics materials such as sandpaper letters, letter puzzles, and moveable alphabets. Such materials help children to associate letter sounds with their corresponding symbols.
Introduce Phonics Songs: Phonics songs are a fun way to get preschool kids to engage with phonics. You can introduce songs that focus on key phonics concepts, such as the alphabet and letter sounds. They serve as an entertaining method to help children memorize phonics lessons.
Play Phonics Games: You can create various phonics games that will help preschool children practice letter sounds, recognition, and pronunciation. Examples include “I Spy” games, which use phonics sounds rather than colors. Also, “letter matching” games, where children match picture cards to their corresponding letters.
Read Phonics Books: One key component of the Montessori teaching method is reading. You can find phonics books with colorful illustrations and straightforward sentences. Reading phonics books can help to reinforce letter sounds and recognition.
Group & Individual Instruction: The Montessori method values individualized instruction. Therefore, you should combine group activities with individual instruction for maximum effectiveness during phonics lessons. Some children may need more guidance in specific areas, while others may require less.
Be Patient: Children learn at different rates and using various modes. Even though it may take time for some children to grasp exact letter sounds and combinations, it’s essential to be patient to ensure that all students achieve mastery. Parents and instructors should provide support and be consistent in offering guidance.

Fun phonics activities for preschool

Alphabet Scavenger Hunt: Send preschoolers on a scavenger hunt to find objects that start with each letter of the alphabet.
Phonics Bingo: Create bingo cards with phonetic sounds instead of numbers and have kids mark the sound when they hear it.
Story Time: Read simple stories with plenty of repetitive sounds and encourage children to join in when they hear them.
Flashcard Match: Match pictures with their corresponding phonetic sound on flashcards.
Sound Sort: Sort a collection of objects into groups based on their beginning sounds.
Singing Songs: Incorporate songs that teach phonetic sounds and encourage children to sing along.
Sensory Play: Hide objects with different phonetic sounds in a sensory bin and have kids search for the objects and say their sounds.
Word Family Wands: Create wands with a specific sound on the end and have kids create words by holding up the wand to different letters.
Magnetic Letter Match: Use magnetic letters to match beginning sounds with corresponding object pictures.
Alphabet Puzzles: Use puzzles with letters and corresponding object pictures to help kids learn phonetic sounds.

Student activity page (ee)

Present these materials to assist children in recognizing and using vowel digraphs in words, including sandpaper letter activities, moveable alphabets, and word-building exercises. By learning digraphs through this method, children develop their reading and writing skills, as well as their ability to identify and articulate sounds in words.

Age: Preschool ages 2.5 – 5 years

Subjects and uses in the classroom: Phonics, Digraphs, Double Sandpaper Letters Extensions, Language Centers, Fine motor, Prereading

How to use this resource

This activity page contains many fun, quick, and engaging hands-on exercises. Children are prompted to practice letter formation, identify words that contain the vowel digraph, color, trace, and identify the digraph. The poster also has a visual demonstration of the pronunciation. The complementary sheet also contains images and labels for additional matching work and cutting exercise strips with the digraph ee.

Print on cardstock and laminate if you wish to reuse it, or print a black and white version for each student to complete. Gather pencils, crayons, pegs or counters, scissors, play dough, or some loose parts for children to build the digraph ee.

Present the phonogram and invite the child to say the sound correctly following the prompt, trace or build the digraph, color, match the picture to the picture and the word to the word, trace it, clip pegs onto correct boxes, and practice cutting.