Want to transform spelling and word study into a time your students actually look forward to? This Diphthongs & Ambiguous Vowels Games Bundle gives you everything you need to engage students in mastering unpredictable vowel teams and ambiguous vowel patterns — all in a format that builds consistency, excitement, and mastery.
Save 50% when you grab all 8 units in the Within Word Pattern Mega Bundle!
Aligned to Words Their Way Unit 5 (Sorts 35–39), these games and activities work with any word study program and cover the following diphthongs and variant vowels: Long OI/OY/O, double oo (ōō, ŏŏ), AW/AU, WA/AL/OUGH, and OU/OW.
5 GAMES, 5 ACTIVITIES FOR THE FOLLOWING DIPHTHONG AND AMBIGUOUS VOWEL PATTERNS
- Sort 35: Long OI, OY, O
- Sort 36: ōō, ŏŏ
- Sort 37: AW, AU, ô
- Sort 38: WA, AL, OUGH
- Sort 39: OU, OW
You get one partner game and one independent activity for each Diphthongs & Ambiguous Vowels Word List. Resources come in both color and black & white versions!
PARTNER GAMES — SORT & MATCH BOARD GAMES
Students draw word cards and match them to the correct vowel pattern on the sorting board. When two cards match the same pattern, students collect the pair. Each game includes a recording sheet for easy teacher check-ins.
Included for each spelling topic:
- Teacher Directions
- Sorting Game Board
- Word Cards
- Student-Friendly Directions
- Recording Sheet
- Answer Key
INDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES — FOUR IN A ROW & MATCH IT UP
Four in a Row (Sorts 35, 37–39): Students spin a spinner, complete an incomplete word on the board matching the vowel pattern, build the word with optional letter tiles, record it, and aim to cover four in a row.
Included for each spelling topic:
- Teacher Directions
- 3 Word Boards
- 2 Spinners with Student-Friendly Directions
- Letter Tiles
- Recording Sheet
- Answer Key
Match It Up Card Game (Sort 36): Students draw from two piles of -oo words and match words with the same vowel sound.
Included for each spelling topic:
- Teacher Directions
- Playing Cards
- Student-Friendly Directions
- Recording Sheet
- Answer Key
WHO ARE THESE GAMES FOR?
These activities are designed for 2nd–5th graders in the middle of the Within Word Pattern stage who have mastered short and long vowel patterns (CVCe, CVVC) and r-controlled vowels but still struggle with ambiguous vowels. Because all games and activities across Unit 5 use similar formats, you only have to teach students how to play once — then enjoy the consistency and versatility all year long!
EXPLORE THE FULL WITHIN WORD PATTERN SERIES
- Unit 1: Short and Long Vowels CVC and CVCe | Sorts 1–12
- Unit 2: Common Long Vowels CVCe and CVVC | Sorts 13–17
- Unit 3: Less Common Long Vowel Patterns | Sorts 18–25
- Unit 4: R-Controlled Vowel Patterns | Sorts 26–34
- Unit 5: Diphthongs & Ambiguous Vowel Patterns | Sorts 35–39
- Unit 6: Beginning and Ending Complex Consonants | Sorts 40–48
- Unit 7: Homophones | Sorts 49–54
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Unit 8: Additional Sorts | Sorts 55–59
Ready to go ALL IN with game centers? Grab the Mega Bundle at 50% off.
NEED PRINTABLE RESOURCES FOR THE WITHIN WORD PATTERN STAGE?
- Word Study Notebook
- Word Searches
- Fill in the Blank Word List Activity
- Weekly Spelling Homework
- Bundle of All Four Printable Resources
- Within Word Pattern Games Mega Bundle | All 8 Units at 50% off
- Bundle of All Four Printable Resources + All Games
NOTE: These games and activities are included in the Engaged Spelling All-Access Library. Please do not purchase if you are a member! If you are considering purchasing more than one bundle, consider the Engaged Spelling Membership — an all-access pass to all games for less than the cost of two mega bundles, with a payment plan available.
Copyright © Tammy Roose, Tarheelstate Teacher.
The purchase of this resource gives the buyer permission to download and copy for single classroom use only. Electronic distribution is also limited to single classroom use. Copying for other teachers, school-wide use, or school systems is only allowed with the purchase of additional licenses.
