Review and repetition is extremely important when learning to combine the Hebrew vowels with letters as part of the reading process. These reading sheets are great for classroom reading. Each new vowel is introduced separately followed by review of all vowels learned up until that point. These sheets follow the recommended reading sequence for the introducing and teaching vowels.
 
Research in Hebrew reading shows: It is important to teach each vowel and letter combination as a stand alone sound, and not combine the different sounds into word until all vowels have been taught and mastered. Spending as much time as possible to reinforce this skill is very important and is the core foundation to fluent reading.
 
Begin teaching each vowel by having the children say Kamatz Alef – Uh, Kammatz Beis – Buh etc. Repeat this for all vowels as they are introduced. After the new vowel has been mastered, mix previous vowels to continue to reinforce that which has already been taught. Only after all vowels have been mastered can you move on to saying sound only (without reciting the vowel name and letter name preceding the single sound each combination creates).
 
(Minimum one week recommended for vowel, letter then sound. When graduating to sound only, a day or two should be sufficient for each vowel.
 
Remember: If the child seems bored vary the activity and do not move on to the next step in the reading process. As long as they are struggling with mastery, they still have much to gain from the continued practice. Play games, add incentives to motivate the practice. The long term fluency in reading is directly affected by this process.
 
Important: Shva, Chataf Kamatz, Chataf Patach and Chataf Segal are not taught as a separate vowel. It is introduced later (only in words).
 
Recommended vowel sequence for instruction: Kammatz, Patach, Tzeirei, Segol, Cholam with a Vav, Cholam without a Vav, Cheereek, Cheereek with a yud, Kubutz, Shuruk
 
Total Pages: 21 pages
 
Teaching Duration: 3 months