Lesson 10: Ii /ĭ/

What Will We Learn Today?

Today we’re exploring the letter Ii, which spells the short vowel sound /ĭ/—as in itch or in. In this lesson, your child will learn to say the /ĭ/ sound, write uppercase and lowercase Ii, blend and read decodable words, and practice reading short phrases and sentences that include this new vowel.

How to Make the /ɪ/ Sound

The letter Ii makes the short /ĭ/ sound, as in insect, itch, and igloo.

Here’s how to help your child say /ĭ/:

• Open your mouth just a little.

• Keep your tongue relaxed in the middle of your mouth and slightly raised.

• Turn your voice on—this is a voiced sound.

• Say: /ĭĭĭĭĭĭ/. It’s a continuous sound, so you can stretch it.

Articulate
Say the sound slowly and clearly with your child: /ĭĭĭĭĭĭĭ/. Ask, “Can you feel your voice buzzing?” Try saying /ĭ/ while pointing to words that use it.

How to Write the Letter Ii

Time to grab your whiteboard and marker.

Uppercase I

• Draw a straight vertical line from top to bottom.

• Then draw a small horizontal line at the top.

• Draw another horizontal line at the bottom.

Lowercase i

• Draw a short vertical line downward.

• Lift your pencil and place a small dot right above the line.

Try writing with chalk, markers, or even your finger in the air.

Download the presentation here:

https://www.canva.com/templates/EAGOVz4zyvs-letter-ii-presentation/

Fun and Meaningful Activities for Letter Ii

Ii Sound Hunt

Help your child listen for the short /ĭ/ sound in the middle of words. Unlike consonants, vowels are often practiced in the middle position.

Say these words aloud:

• sip

• pit

• fit

• tip

Ask: “What sound do you hear in the middle of this word?”

Read and Blend Short Words

Let’s practice blending letters together to read short words that use /ĭ/ in the middle. Encourage your child to sound out and blend:

Reading Words:

• if

• it

• its

• fit

• sit

• sip

• tip

• pit

• Tim

Model first: “/s/ – /ĭ/ – /t/” → sit
Then have your child try it on their own.

Read Short Phrases

Use simple phrases to build fluency with the /ĭ/ sound and review previously learned words.

Reading Phrases:

• Tim and I

• at the pit

• its tip

• the pit

• Sam and Tim

• at the tip

Ask: “Can you find the word with the /ɪ/ sound in the middle?”

Read Connected Sentences

Try these short decodable sentences. Read them together or echo read line by line:

• Tim and I sit at the mat.

• Tim and I fit.

• I tap the map.

• Tim and I tap the map.

• Tim and I tap its tip.

Read Full Sentences

Encourage independent reading or partner reading:

• I sit at the mat.

• Sam and I sat at the tip.

• Tim and I sit.

• Sam, Pat, Tim, and I fit.

These early reading sentences use familiar sounds and sight words for confident practice.

Color, Trace, and Write

Use printable worksheets where your child can:

• Color pictures with the /ĭ/ sound

• Trace uppercase and lowercase Ii

• Practice writing the letter Ii

Download the Ii Worksheets Here:

https://www.canva.com/templates/EAE3jlTmmXQ-alphabet-ii-tracing-and-coloring-worksheet/

https://www.canva.com/templates/EAE3M4PyROQ-letter-i-tracing-and-coloring-worksheets/

Flashcards – Middle Sound Focus

Since Ii is a vowel, flashcards should focus on middle sounds in CVC words. Say each word and stretch the middle sound.

Examples:

• fig

• bin

• zip

• dip

• lid

Ask: “What sound do you hear in the middle of this word?”

Download Ii Flashcards – Middle Sound CVC Set Here:

https://www.canva.com/templates/EAE2HioBSjc-alphabet-i-phonics-flashcards/

Conclusion

The letter Ii introduces a new short vowel sound that helps children unlock many simple words. With focused sound practice, blending, and sentence reading, your child will grow in confidence and fluency—one word at a time.

Make it playful, keep it consistent, and celebrate progress. What new /ĭ/ word can your child read today? Share it in the comments!