Lesson 17: Uu /ŭ/

Today’s lesson focuses on the letter Uu, which spells the short vowel sound /ŭ/—as in umbrella. Your child will learn how to say the /ŭ/ sound, write uppercase and lowercase Uu, and blend and read simple words and sentences using this helpful vowel.

How to Make the /ŭ/ Sound

The short /ŭ/ sound is common in English and appears in many early reading words, like up, mud, and sun.

Here’s how to help your child make the /ŭ/ sound:

• Open your mouth slightly.

• Keep your lips relaxed.

• Keep your tongue low and centered.

• Turn your voice on—/ŭ/ is a voiced, continuous sound.

• Say: /ŭŭŭŭŭŭŭŭŭŭŭ/

Articulate
Model the sound together: “Let’s say /ŭ/ like we’re surprised—/ŭŭŭŭ/!” Hold the sound for a moment and say it in words your child already knows.

How to Write the Letter Uu

Time to grab your whiteboard and marker!

Uppercase U

• Start at the top.

• Curve down and around like a big bowl.

• Then go back up on the other side.

Lowercase u

• Start at the top.

• Curve down and around.

• Go back up and finish with a short straight line down on the right.

Encourage your child to trace, write, or shape the letter with playdough for extra practice.

Download the presentation here:

https://www.canva.com/templates/EAGPZzsKmIg-letter-uu-presentation/

Let’s Practice Reading Words

Blend these CVC words with the short /ŭ/ sound in the middle:

• up

• us

• sum

• cut

• mud

• pup

• cup

• nut

• sun

Model slow blending:
“/m/ – /ŭ/ – /d/” → mud
Then blend fluently: mud

Let’s Practice Reading Phrases

Use short, decodable phrases with /ŭ/ words and known sight words:

• the sum

• in the mud

• a nut

• a fun pup

• in the sun

• up to us

Ask: “Can you find the word with the /ŭ/ sound? Let’s blend and read it together.”

Let’s Practice Reading Connected Sentences

These connected sentences build fluency and familiarity with the short U sound:

• The sun is up.

• Is the pup in the mud?

• The pup and I sit in the mud.

• It is fun to sit in the mud!

Encourage rereading for confidence and rhythm.

Let’s Practice Reading Sentences

• The pup is on the mat.

• The nut is in the cup.

• It is up to us.

• Tom can cut it up.

These short sentences reinforce blending, sight word recognition, and sentence structure.

Download the presentation here:

https://www.canva.com/templates/EAGVqHz3nHU-phonics-decodable-sentences-presentation/

Color, Trace, and Write

Use printable worksheets where your child can:

• Color pictures with the /ŭ/ sound

• Trace uppercase and lowercase Uu

• Practice writing the letter Uu

Download the Uu Worksheets Here:

https://www.canva.com/templates/EAE3pHWF7tc-letter-uu-alphabet-worksheets/

https://www.canva.com/templates/EAE3h6XQKtU-alphabet-letter-u-tracing-and-coloring-worksheets/

Flashcards – Middle Sound Focus

Because Uu is a vowel, flashcards should highlight CVC words with the short /ŭ/ sound in the middle.

Examples:

• cup

• sun

• mud

• pup

Ask: “What sound do you hear in the middle?” “What letter spells that sound?”

Download Uu Flashcards – Middle Sound CVC Set Here:

https://www.canva.com/templates/EAFIWVh6WWo-cvc-short-vowel-u-flashcards/

Conclusion

The short U sound /ŭ/ is a key part of early reading. With hands-on writing, sound blending, and sentence reading practice, your child will gain confidence in decoding and understanding short vowel words.

Keep the learning joyful and consistent. What short U word can your child read today? Share it in the comments!