Phonics Principle 3
This is the first long vowel principle.
When a consonant is followed by a vowel....and NOTHING else, then that vowel will be long. Example words: so, he, she, go, etc.
The student should 'walk' across the bottom of the word from left to right. For marking purposes, put a dot under any vowel. Then go above the word from right to left (backwards). In phonics principle 3, all you have to do is put the long vowel symbol above the vowel as shown in the example. Now read the word according to your markings. This is the key purpose for the marking system; it allows the child to 'see' words in a manner in which will allow him to find success in reading unknown words. With consistent practice, the child will begin to see words in this manner without needing to mark them!
Just so you know....the third phonics principle forms what is known as an open syllable. When a vowel is in a syllable that does not end with a consonant, then that syllable is open. You can have an open syllable in the middle of a large word such as:
instrument = in / stru / ment. The "stru" is an open syllable.
Now read the word according to your vowel markings. Remember, when you finally get to multisyllabic words, EVERY SINGLE SYLLABLE must have ONE vowel SOUND. Reiterate that concept right now while you are working with just one-syllable words!
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so he = Phonics Principle 3