WARNING: Do not play this deliciously delightful game on an empty stomach.  😉

To play our Building Sundaes vowel teams game, students will choose a sundae piece, read the word, and find the corresponding vowel team sundae board to cover with its matching piece.

How to Play with OA, OW, OE, & EY Long Vowel Teams

Use this resource in your reading center and as a guided reading or a whole class exercise (see below) to practice decoding words with the following vowel team conventions:

• ey
• oa 
• oe
• ow

Players take turns choosing a sundae piece, reading the word, and identifying the vowel team it uses. Then they will find the matching vowel team on the game board and cover the piece. Take turns choosing sundae pieces until all of the sundaes are complete! 

Scaffolding and Extension Tips 

Challenge students who already understand the concept to produce other words that contain each vowel team on small slips of paper for a partner to sort. 

Support students who need help understanding the concepts by using an anchor chart or poster as a visual reference while working through each vowel team.

More Ways to Play with Long Vowel Teams 

Use this resource as independent practice for fast finishers and full-class learning opportunities like scoot activities, lesson reviews, formative assessments, and more.

👀 Scavenger Hunt

Hide the sundae pieces around the room when your students are not around and put the vowels teams card in the center of the room. Then set your students loose! As soon as they find a piece, they bring it up to the picture card, read the word, and put it on the matching vowel team sundae. NOTE: You may want to make a rule of only 1 student at a card at one time. If not, things could get a little crazy! 

🍨 Write the Room (Scoot Activity)

Print an extra sundae card and cut out each one. Hang 4 sheets of chart paper around the room and post a vowel team card above each one. Individually or with a partner, have students rotate around the room, adding a word that uses that vowel team. When it’s time to rotate to the next vowel team, say “Scoot!” or flick the lights to signal to students. Words may be used only once.

🍧 Swat 

Print an extra sundae card and cut out each one. During small group instruction, lay the vowel team sundaes on the table and give each player a fly swatter. Read the words off the game pieces and have the students swat the vowel team that matches the sound. The first student to swat it correctly gets the game piece and sets it aside to keep score. The student with the most wins. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on cardstock and slip the game board into a dry-erase sleeve for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

Before You Download

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. 

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This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

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If you’re looking for more ways to practice vowel teams, be sure to check these out!