Lesson 32: /ow/ (Spelling Patterns: ow, ou)

Discover the /ow/ Sound in Words Like cow and out

Learning to read becomes easier when children recognize that one sound can have several spelling patterns. In this lesson, we introduce the /ow/ sound, an important vowel sound in English. Children will learn that ow and ou can both represent the /ow/ sound in different words.

This lesson helps beginning readers recognize, pronounce, and read the /ow/ 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 /ow/ sound in spoken words.

• Learn that ow and ou can both spell the /ow/ sound.

• Articulate the sound correctly.

• Read and identify words containing the /ow/ sound.

• Compare different spelling patterns for the same sound.

• Strengthen decoding and spelling skills.

Reading Skill Spotlight: The /ow/ Sound

The /ow/ sound is a diphthong. A diphthong is a vowel sound that glides smoothly from one mouth position to another.

There are two common spelling patterns for the /ow/ sound.

The spelling ow appears in words such as:

• cow

• brown

• flower

• clown

The spelling ou also represents the /ow/ sound, as in:

• out

• cloud

• house

• mouth

Although ow and ou look different, they both represent the same /ow/ sound. Learning these spelling patterns helps children decode unfamiliar words more confidently and improves their spelling.

Make the Sound

Let's practise together!

The /ow/ sound is a diphthong.

Start with your mouth open for /a/, then glide upward into /w/ as your lips become more rounded.

Say it slowly:

/ow/

Now try it three times:

/ow/ … /ow/ … /ow/

Encourage children to notice how their mouth changes shape while saying the sound. They can also place a hand on their throat to feel the gentle vibration because /ow/ is a voiced vowel sound.

Teach the Lesson with the Interactive Presentation

Introduce the /ow/ 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 /ow/ 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 /ow/ 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 /ow/ 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 /ow/ sound clearly before introducing the spelling patterns.

• Teach both ow and ou, providing plenty of opportunities to compare them.

• Encourage children to sort words by spelling pattern and read them aloud.

• Remind children that ow can represent a different sound (as in snow), so they should use the word's context when reading.

• Keep lessons short, positive, and engaging.

• Regularly review previously learned vowel teams and diphthongs.

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.

What is a diphthong?

A diphthong is a vowel sound that glides from one mouth position to another while being pronounced as a single syllable. The /ow/ sound is one example of a diphthong.

Why can ow make different sounds?

English spelling has developed over many centuries, so some letter combinations represent more than one sound. For example, ow can represent /ow/ as in cow or /ō/ as in snow. Children learn these patterns through systematic phonics instruction and repeated reading.

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.