The Long O Sound

Jul 29, 2023

3 min read

We already know that the letter o makes the long /o/ sound at the end of open syllables. In around 70% of words with the long /o/ sound, the long /o/ sound is spelled with an open syllable.

Introducing the Long O Sound

Look at the pictures below. Pay attention to the letter making the long /o/ sound in each word.

The letter o makes the long /o/ sound in open syllables.

We have also already learned that a VCE syllable can make the long /o/ sound. In around 15% of words with the long /o/ sound, it is spelled with a VCE syllable.

Look at the pictures below. Pay attention to the letters making the long /o/ sound.

The long /o/ sound can be made by VCE syllables.

There are several vowel teams that also make the long /o/ sound. The letters oa and ow each make the long /o/ sound in words about 5% of the time. The letters oa only make the long /o/ sound at the beginning or middle of a syllable.

Look at the pictures below. Notice the letters making the long /o/ sound.

The vowel team oa can make the long o sound.

The letters ow usually make the long /o/ sound at the end of a syllable. However, there are exceptions, such as the word bowl.

A less common spelling of the long /o/ sound is the letters oe.

Look at the words below. Notice the letters making the long /o/ sound.

There are some very uncommon spellings of the long /o/ sound.

OU – The letters ou can make the long /o/ sound in the middle of syllables. More commonly, the letters ou make the /ow/ sound.

OUGH – There are four words that have the letters ough making the long /o/ sound. dough – though – thorough – borough

OLD WILD WORDS – Old wild words are words left over from Anglo-Saxon times from about 400 to 1000 CE. They are sometimes called word fossils. These words look like they have closed syllables, but have the long /o/ or long /i/ sounds.

Look at the pictures below. Notice the letters making the long /o/ sounds.

Practicing the Long O Sound

The best way we can remember the sounds letters make is to practice. Our Learning to Read workbook has cards you can use to practice with the long /o/ sound. You can also make your own notecards to practice letters and sounds. Just a few minutes of practice a day will make a huge difference!

Reading Words

Congratulations! You can now read more words! You can practice reading the words on the chart.

Writing Practice

You can also practice writing words with the long /o/ sound. Make sure you follow explicit handwriting instructions to ensure you are writing efficiently. Writing efficiently is a huge part of building writing stamina.

Video Guidance

Check out our video on the long /o/ sound.

You can use this video to prepare for a lesson with your student, or your student can work with the video independently.

LEARNING TO DECODE PROGRAM

Take your learning to the next level with our Learning to Read Workbook!

Learning to read is a systematic process that requires explicit instruction. Our learning to read program breaks down every sound students need to know to learn how to read. Every step of the program includes picture examples, sound practice, reading practice, and writing practice.

The best part of the program is that anyone who is a competent reader can help a student through the program. Use our webpages, videos, and the pages in the workbook to guide your student’s learning. Students work through the program at their own pace. This is a perfect supplement to what students are learning in school.