Lesson 14: /ū/ (Spelling Patterns: oo, u_e, ui, ew, ue)
- Reading Bulilit
- Developing Readers
Discover the /ū/ Sound in Words Like moon, rule, fruit, chew, and blue
Learning to read becomes easier when children recognize that one sound can have several spelling patterns. In this lesson, we introduce the /ū/ sound, the tense long u sound heard in words like glue. Children will learn that this sound can be spelled in different ways, including oo, u_e, ui, ew, and ue.
This lesson helps beginning readers recognize, pronounce, and read the /ū/ sound through explicit instruction, listening activities, and decoding practice. Following a systematic phonics sequence allows children to build strong foundational reading skills one step at a time. Whether you're a parent, teacher, tutor, or homeschool educator, this free lesson provides engaging resources to support confident, successful readers.
Before You Get Started
All of the resources in this lesson—including the interactive presentation, worksheets, classroom poster, and mini activity book—are completely free to access and edit with Canva Education.
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Once your Canva Education account is approved, you'll be able to access, customize, and use all of the resources in this lesson at no cost.
What Your Child Will Learn
By the end of this lesson, your child will be able to:
Recognize the /ū/ sound in spoken words.
Learn that oo, u_e, ui, ew, and ue can all spell the /ū/ sound.
Articulate the sound correctly.
Read and identify words containing the tense /ū/ sound.
Compare different spelling patterns for the same sound.
Strengthen decoding and spelling skills.
Reading Skill Spotlight: The /ū/ Sound
The /ū/ sound is the tense long u sound heard in words like glue. It is different from the /yū/ sound in words like music, which begins with a /y/ sound.
English uses several spelling patterns for the /ū/ sound.
The spelling oo appears in words such as:
moon
spoon
food
school
The spelling u_e (magic e or silent e) appears in words such as:
rule
flute
June
rude
The spelling ui appears in words such as:
fruit
juice
suit
cruise
The spelling ew appears in words such as:
chew
grew
flew
threw
The spelling ue commonly appears at the end of words, as in:
blue
glue
true
rescue
Learning these spelling patterns helps children decode unfamiliar words more accurately and become more confident readers and writers.
Make the Sound
Let's practise together!
The /ū/ sound is a continuous vowel sound. Round your lips and let your voice flow smoothly.
Say it slowly:
/ū/
Now try holding it:
/ūūūūū/
Encourage children to notice how their lips stay rounded while their voice continues without stopping. Holding the sound helps children recognize and remember the tense /ū/ sound.
Teach the Lesson with the Interactive Presentation
Introduce the /ū/ sound using the interactive presentation. It provides explicit instruction, pronunciation practice, spelling patterns, word reading, and engaging activities in a clear, systematic sequence. The presentation is suitable for classrooms, small-group instruction, intervention sessions, tutoring, or home learning.
👉 Access the presentation here:
Download the Free Worksheets
Reinforce learning with printable worksheets that provide opportunities to practise reading, writing, spelling, and applying the /ū/ sound. These activities encourage repeated practice while helping children build confidence and fluency.
👉 Download the worksheets here:
Display the Classroom Poster
Support daily review with a printable classroom poster featuring the /ū/ sound and its spelling patterns. Display it on your phonics wall, literacy centre, or reading corner to provide children with a helpful visual reference throughout the lesson.
👉 Download the poster here:
Practise with the Mini Activity Book
Extend learning with the printable mini activity book. Filled with engaging, hands-on activities, it gives children additional opportunities to review the /ū/ sound through reading, colouring, matching, writing, and word practice. It is ideal for independent learning, literacy rotations, homework, or extra practice at home.
👉 Download the mini activity book here:
Tips for Educators
Model the /ū/ sound clearly before introducing the spelling patterns.
Explain that this lesson focuses on the /ū/ sound in words like glue, not the /yū/ sound in words like music.
Teach one spelling pattern at a time before comparing them.
Provide plenty of opportunities to read and spell words with each spelling pattern.
Keep lessons short, positive, and engaging.
Regularly review previously learned vowel sounds and spelling patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is this lesson suitable for?
This lesson is designed for beginning readers, typically between 4 and 7 years old, but it can also support older students who are developing foundational reading skills.
Why does the /ū/ sound have different spellings?
English uses several spelling patterns to represent the /ū/ sound. Learning oo, u_e, ui, ew, and ue helps children decode and spell a wider range of words with confidence.
Is this the same as the /yū/ sound?
No. This lesson teaches the /ū/ sound heard in words like glue and moon. The /yū/ sound, heard in words like music and cube, will be taught separately.
Can I use these resources in my classroom?
Absolutely! These resources are designed for classroom teachers, reading intervention, tutors, homeschool educators, and families supporting beginning readers at home.
Continue Learning
Every new spelling pattern your child masters strengthens their reading foundation. Continue to the next lesson in the Developing Readers series as your child learns another essential phonics pattern through explicit, systematic instruction.
You may also enjoy exploring our growing collection of printable phonics resources, decodable activities, and early literacy materials designed to make learning to read simple, engaging, and effective.