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Override for the tutor's lesson content generation calls. Auto uses the system default (Claude Sonnet 5 for lesson text, Opus 5 for diagrams).

Lesson generation model

System default

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Tutoring abilities

Every word you say has a secret glue holding it together: a **vowel**!

**Every English** syllable requires at least one vowel sound. Unlike consonants, vowel sounds are produced with an **open vocal tract** without airflow obstruction.

**Every English** syllable requires at least one **vowel sound** to be spoken.

Unlike consonants, vowel sounds are produced with an **open vocal tract** without any airflow obstruction.

The five vowels are **A, E, I, O, and U**. When a vowel sits between consonants, it usually makes a quick, crisp **short vowel sound**.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <meta name="aspect-ratio" content="4:3">
  <title>Short Vowel Sounds</title>
  <style>
    * {
      box-sizing: border-box;
      margin: 0;
      padding: 0;
      font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif;
    }

    body {
      background-color: #f8f9fa;
      color: #1e2945;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      min-height: 100%;
      padding: 12px;
    }

    .main-wrap {
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 480px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      gap: 16px;
      align-items: center;
    }

    /* Vowel selector tabs */
    .vowel-nav {
      display: flex;
      justify-content: space-between;
      width: 100%;
      gap: 8px;
    }

    .vowel-btn {
      flex: 1;
      border: 2px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);
      background: #ffffff;
      color: #1e2945;
      padding: 10px 0;
      border-radius: 12px;
      font-size: 20px;
      font-weight: 700;
      cursor: pointer;
      box-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);
      transition: background-color 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s, color 0.2s;
      text-align: center;
    }

    .vowel-btn:hover {
      background-color: #f1f5f9;
    }

    .vowel-btn.active {
      background: #22b7ff;
      color: #ffffff;
      box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(34, 183, 255, 0.35);
    }

    /* Stage Area */
    .stage {
      position: relative;
      width: 100%;
      height: 230px;
      background: #ffffff;
      border-radius: 16px;
      box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06);
      overflow: hidden;
    }

    .vowel-card {
      position: absolute;
      inset: 0;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      opacity: 0;
      pointer-events: none;
      transition: opacity 0.3s ease;
      padding: 16px;
      gap: 12px;
    }

    .vowel-card.active {
      opacity: 1;
      pointer-events: auto;
    }

    .symbol-badge {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 4px;
      font-size: 24px;
      font-weight: 800;
      padding: 4px 16px;
      border-radius: 20px;
      background: #f0fdf4;
      color: #16a34a;
    }

    /* CVC Sandwich Visualization */
    .cvc-box {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 8px;
    }

    .letter-tile {
      width: 52px;
      height: 56px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      border-radius: 12px;
      font-size: 28px;
      font-weight: 800;
      background: #f1f5f9;
      color: #64748b;
      position: relative;
    }

    .letter-tile.consonant::after {
      content: "C";
      font-size: 10px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: #94a3b8;
      margin-top: -2px;
    }

    .letter-tile.vowel-target {
      background: #e0f2fe;
      color: #0284c7;
      box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px #38bdf8;
    }

    .letter-tile.vowel-target::after {
      content: "V";
      font-size: 10px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: #0284c7;
      margin-top: -2px;
    }

    .example-tag {
      font-size: 32px;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 8px;
      margin-top: 4px;
    }

    .word-label {
      font-size: 20px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: #1e2945;
      letter-spacing: 1px;
    }

    /* Controls */
    .controls {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 12px;
    }

    .ctrl-btn {
      background: #ffffff;
      border: none;
      color: #475569;
      width: 36px;
      height: 36px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      font-size: 14px;
      cursor: pointer;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      box-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06);
      transition: background-color 0.2s, color 0.2s;
    }

    .ctrl-btn:hover {
      background-color: #f1f5f9;
      color: #1e2945;
    }

    .dots-nav {
      display: flex;
      gap: 6px;
    }

    .dot {
      width: 8px;
      height: 8px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      background: #cbd5e1;
      cursor: pointer;
      border: none;
      padding: 0;
      transition: background-color 0.2s, transform 0.2s;
    }

    .dot.active {
      background: #22b7ff;
      transform: scale(1.3);
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <div class="main-wrap">
    
    <div class="vowel-nav">
      <button class="vowel-btn active" data-idx="0">A</button>
      <button class="vowel-btn" data-idx="1">E</button>
      <button class="vowel-btn" data-idx="2">I</button>
      <button class="vowel-btn" data-idx="3">O</button>
      <button class="vowel-btn" data-idx="4">U</button>
    </div>

    
    <div class="stage">
      
      <div class="vowel-card active" data-idx="0">
        <div class="symbol-badge">ă</div>
        <div class="cvc-box">
          <div class="letter-tile consonant">c</div>
          <div class="letter-tile vowel-target">a</div>
          <div class="letter-tile consonant">t</div>
        </div>
        <div class="example-tag">
          <span>🐱</span>
          <span class="word-label">cat</span>
        </div>
      </div>

      
      <div class="vowel-card" data-idx="1">
        <div class="symbol-badge">ĕ</div>
        <div class="cvc-box">
          <div class="letter-tile consonant">b</div>
          <div class="letter-tile vowel-target">e</div>
          <div class="letter-tile consonant">d</div>
        </div>
        <div class="example-tag">
          <span>🛏️</span>
          <span class="word-label">bed</span>
        </div>
      </div>

      
      <div class="vowel-card" data-idx="2">
        <div class="symbol-badge">ĭ</div>
        <div class="cvc-box">
          <div class="letter-tile consonant">p</div>
          <div class="letter-tile vowel-target">i</div>
          <div class="letter-tile consonant">g</div>
        </div>
        <div class="example-tag">
          <span>🐷</span>
          <span class="word-label">pig</span>
        </div>
      </div>

      
      <div class="vowel-card" data-idx="3">
        <div class="symbol-badge">ŏ</div>
        <div class="cvc-box">
          <div class="letter-tile consonant">f</div>
          <div class="letter-tile vowel-target">o</div>
          <div class="letter-tile consonant">x</div>
        </div>
        <div class="example-tag">
          <span>🦊</span>
          <span class="word-label">fox</span>
        </div>
      </div>

      
      <div class="vowel-card" data-idx="4">
        <div class="symbol-badge">ŭ</div>
        <div class="cvc-box">
          <div class="letter-tile consonant">s</div>
          <div class="letter-tile vowel-target">u</div>
          <div class="letter-tile consonant">n</div>
        </div>
        <div class="example-tag">
          <span>☀️</span>
          <span class="word-label">sun</span>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="controls">
      <button class="ctrl-btn" id="prevBtn" aria-label="Previous">◀</button>
      <button class="ctrl-btn" id="playBtn" aria-label="Play/Pause">⏸</button>
      <div class="dots-nav">
        <button class="dot active" data-idx="0" aria-label="Go to A"></button>
        <button class="dot" data-idx="1" aria-label="Go to E"></button>
        <button class="dot" data-idx="2" aria-label="Go to I"></button>
        <button class="dot" data-idx="3" aria-label="Go to O"></button>
        <button class="dot" data-idx="4" aria-label="Go to U"></button>
      </div>
      <button class="ctrl-btn" id="nextBtn" aria-label="Next">▶</button>
    </div>
  </div>

  <script>
    let currentIndex = 0;
    const totalSteps = 5;
    let isPlaying = true;
    let timer = null;

    const cards = document.querySelectorAll('.vowel-card');
    const tabs = document.querySelectorAll('.vowel-btn');
    const dots = document.querySelectorAll('.dot');
    const playBtn = document.getElementById('playBtn');
    const prevBtn = document.getElementById('prevBtn');
    const nextBtn = document.getElementById('nextBtn');

    function showIndex(idx) {
      currentIndex = (idx + totalSteps) % totalSteps;

      cards.forEach((c, i) => c.classList.toggle('active', i === currentIndex));
      tabs.forEach((t, i) => t.classList.toggle('active', i === currentIndex));
      dots.forEach((d, i) => d.classList.toggle('active', i === currentIndex));
    }

    function nextStep() {
      showIndex(currentIndex + 1);
    }

    function prevStep() {
      showIndex(currentIndex - 1);
    }

    function startTimer() {
      stopTimer();
      timer = setInterval(nextStep, 3200);
      isPlaying = true;
      playBtn.textContent = '⏸';
    }

    function stopTimer() {
      if (timer) {
        clearInterval(timer);
        timer = null;
      }
      isPlaying = false;
      playBtn.textContent = '▶';
    }

    function togglePlay() {
      if (isPlaying) {
        stopTimer();
      } else {
        nextStep();
        startTimer();
      }
    }

    // Attach Listeners
    tabs.forEach(btn => {
      btn.addEventListener('click', () => {
        showIndex(parseInt(btn.getAttribute('data-idx'), 10));
        startTimer();
      });
    });

    dots.forEach(dot => {
      dot.addEventListener('click', () => {
        showIndex(parseInt(dot.getAttribute('data-idx'), 10));
        startTimer();
      });
    });

    prevBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
      prevStep();
      startTimer();
    });

    nextBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
      nextStep();
      startTimer();
    });

    playBtn.addEventListener('click', togglePlay);

    // Initial setup
    startTimer();
  </script>
</body>
</html>

How do your mouth and voice make each of these sounds? Let's meet the first two.

Open your mouth wide like you are biting an apple to say **/ă/**. Blend the sounds together: **/c/ - /ă/ - /t/** makes **cat**!

For short **E**, open your mouth just a little bit with a gentle smile to say **/ĕ/**. Blend **/b/ - /ĕ/ - /d/** to read **bed**.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <meta name="aspect-ratio" content="4:3">
  <style>
    * { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }
    body {
      font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif;
      background: transparent;
      color: #1e2945;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: space-between;
      min-height: 100%;
      padding: 8px 4px;
      user-select: none;
      -webkit-user-select: none;
    }

    .vowel-nav {
      display: flex;
      gap: 6px;
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 440px;
      justify-content: center;
    }

    .vowel-btn {
      flex: 1;
      padding: 6px 2px;
      border-radius: 12px;
      border: 2px solid transparent;
      background: #ffffff;
      box-shadow: 0 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);
      cursor: pointer;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      transition: background-color 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
    }

    .vowel-btn .letter {
      font-size: 20px;
      font-weight: 800;
      line-height: 1.1;
    }

    .vowel-btn .sound {
      font-size: 12px;
      font-weight: 600;
      color: #6b7280;
    }

    .vowel-btn.active {
      box-shadow: 0 3px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15), 0 0 0 2px currentColor;
    }

    /* Main Showcase Area */
    .showcase {
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 440px;
      background: #ffffff;
      border-radius: 16px;
      padding: 14px 12px;
      box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 12px;
      position: relative;
    }

    /* Visual Mouth Shape Display */
    .mouth-stage {
      width: 100%;
      height: 90px;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      position: relative;
    }

    .mouth-svg {
      width: 120px;
      height: 80px;
      transition: all 0.3s ease;
    }

    .shape-label {
      font-size: 13px;
      font-weight: 700;
      padding: 3px 10px;
      border-radius: 20px;
      background: #f1f5f9;
      color: #475569;
    }

    /* Word Blending Section */
    .blend-row {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 8px;
    }

    .tile {
      width: 48px;
      height: 52px;
      border-radius: 12px;
      background: #f8fafc;
      border: 2px solid #e2e8f0;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      font-size: 24px;
      font-weight: 800;
      color: #334155;
    }

    .tile.highlight {
      border-color: currentColor;
      background: #ffffff;
      transform: translateY(-2px);
      box-shadow: 0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);
    }

    .arrow {
      font-size: 18px;
      font-weight: 800;
      color: #94a3b8;
    }

    .word-badge {
      padding: 8px 16px;
      border-radius: 12px;
      font-size: 24px;
      font-weight: 800;
      color: #ffffff;
      letter-spacing: 1px;
      box-shadow: 0 3px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
    }

    /* Controls */
    .controls {
      display: flex;
      gap: 10px;
      align-items: center;
    }

    .btn-sound {
      padding: 8px 18px;
      border-radius: 24px;
      border: none;
      background: #1e2945;
      color: #ffffff;
      font-size: 14px;
      font-weight: 700;
      cursor: pointer;
      box-shadow: 0 3px 0 #0f172a;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 6px;
      transition: opacity 0.15s;
    }
    .btn-sound:active {
      transform: translateY(2px);
      box-shadow: 0 1px 0 #0f172a;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>

  
  <div class="vowel-nav">
    <button class="vowel-btn" data-idx="0" style="color: #ff6b6b;">
      <span class="letter">a</span>
      <span class="sound">/ă/</span>
    </button>
    <button class="vowel-btn active" data-idx="1" style="color: #f59f00;">
      <span class="letter">e</span>
      <span class="sound">/ĕ/</span>
    </button>
    <button class="vowel-btn" data-idx="2" style="color: #0ea5e9;">
      <span class="letter">i</span>
      <span class="sound">/ĭ/</span>
    </button>
    <button class="vowel-btn" data-idx="3" style="color: #ea580c;">
      <span class="letter">o</span>
      <span class="sound">/ŏ/</span>
    </button>
    <button class="vowel-btn" data-idx="4" style="color: #10b981;">
      <span class="letter">u</span>
      <span class="sound">/ŭ/</span>
    </button>
  </div>

  
  <div class="showcase">
    
    <div class="mouth-stage">
      <svg id="mouth-svg" class="mouth-svg" viewBox="0 0 120 80">
        
        <path id="lip-outer" d="M 20 40 Q 60 15 100 40 Q 60 65 20 40 Z" fill="#ffccd5" stroke="#f43f5e" stroke-width="3" stroke-linejoin="round"/>
        
        <path id="lip-inner" d="M 30 40 Q 60 25 90 40 Q 60 52 30 40 Z" fill="#881337"/>
        
        <path id="lip-teeth" d="M 40 37 Q 60 37 80 37 Q 60 44 40 37 Z" fill="#ffffff"/>
      </svg>
    </div>

    <span id="shape-cue" class="shape-label">Gentle Smile</span>

    
    <div class="blend-row">
      <div class="tile" id="c1">b</div>
      <div class="tile highlight" id="vowel-tile" style="color: #f59f00;">e</div>
      <div class="tile" id="c2">d</div>
      <div class="arrow">→</div>
      <div class="word-badge" id="word-badge" style="background: #f59f00;">bed</div>
    </div>
  </div>

  
  <div class="controls">
    <button class="btn-sound" id="play-sound-btn">
      <span>🔊</span> <span id="sound-label">Hear /ĕ/</span>
    </button>
  </div>

  <script>
    const data = [
      {
        letter: 'a',
        sound: '/ă/',
        spoken: 'ah',
        color: '#ff6b6b',
        c1: 'c',
        c2: 't',
        word: 'cat',
        cue: 'Wide Open',
        // Mouth paths: outer, inner, teeth
        outer: 'M 25 40 Q 60 10 95 40 Q 60 70 25 40 Z',
        inner: 'M 35 40 Q 60 18 85 40 Q 60 62 35 40 Z',
        teeth: 'M 42 32 Q 60 32 78 32 Q 60 38 42 32 Z'
      },
      {
        letter: 'e',
        sound: '/ĕ/',
        spoken: 'eh',
        color: '#f59f00',
        c1: 'b',
        c2: 'd',
        word: 'bed',
        cue: 'Gentle Smile',
        outer: 'M 18 40 Q 60 22 102 40 Q 60 58 18 40 Z',
        inner: 'M 28 40 Q 60 28 92 40 Q 60 50 28 40 Z',
        teeth: 'M 36 36 Q 60 36 84 36 Q 60 42 36 36 Z'
      },
      {
        letter: 'i',
        sound: '/ĭ/',
        spoken: 'ih',
        color: '#0ea5e9',
        c1: 'p',
        c2: 'n',
        word: 'pin',
        cue: 'Narrow Smile',
        outer: 'M 15 40 Q 60 28 105 40 Q 60 52 15 40 Z',
        inner: 'M 24 40 Q 60 33 96 40 Q 60 46 24 40 Z',
        teeth: 'M 30 38 Q 60 38 90 38 Q 60 42 30 38 Z'
      },
      {
        letter: 'o',
        sound: '/ŏ/',
        spoken: 'aw',
        color: '#ea580c',
        c1: 'h',
        c2: 'p',
        word: 'hop',
        cue: 'Round Circle',
        outer: 'M 32 40 Q 60 12 88 40 Q 60 68 32 40 Z',
        inner: 'M 42 40 Q 60 22 78 40 Q 60 58 42 40 Z',
        teeth: 'M 48 30 Q 60 30 72 30 Q 60 34 48 30 Z'
      },
      {
        letter: 'u',
        sound: '/ŭ/',
        spoken: 'uh',
        color: '#10b981',
        c1: 's',
        c2: 'n',
        word: 'sun',
        cue: 'Relaxed Drop',
        outer: 'M 24 40 Q 60 16 96 40 Q 60 66 24 40 Z',
        inner: 'M 34 40 Q 60 26 86 40 Q 60 55 34 40 Z',
        teeth: 'M 40 34 Q 60 34 80 34 Q 60 39 40 34 Z'
      }
    ];

    let currentIdx = 1; // Start at 'e' as context lesson highlights

    const buttons = document.querySelectorAll('.vowel-btn');
    const shapeCue = document.getElementById('shape-cue');
    const c1 = document.getElementById('c1');
    const c2 = document.getElementById('c2');
    const vowelTile = document.getElementById('vowel-tile');
    const wordBadge = document.getElementById('word-badge');
    const soundLabel = document.getElementById('sound-label');
    const playSoundBtn = document.getElementById('play-sound-btn');

    const lipOuter = document.getElementById('lip-outer');
    const lipInner = document.getElementById('lip-inner');
    const lipTeeth = document.getElementById('lip-teeth');

    function updateView(idx) {
      currentIdx = idx;
      const item = data[idx];

      buttons.forEach((btn, i) => {
        btn.classList.toggle('active', i === idx);
      });

      // Update mouth SVG
      lipOuter.setAttribute('d', item.outer);
      lipInner.setAttribute('d', item.inner);
      lipTeeth.setAttribute('d', item.teeth);

      shapeCue.textContent = item.cue;

      c1.textContent = item.c1;
      vowelTile.textContent = item.letter;
      vowelTile.style.color = item.color;
      c2.textContent = item.c2;

      wordBadge.textContent = item.word;
      wordBadge.style.background = item.color;

      soundLabel.textContent = `Hear ${item.sound}`;
    }

    buttons.forEach((btn, i) => {
      btn.addEventListener('click', () => {
        updateView(i);
      });
    });

    function playVowelSound() {
      const item = data[currentIdx];
      if ('speechSynthesis' in window) {
        window.speechSynthesis.cancel();
        const utter = new SpeechSynthesisUtterance(item.word);
        utter.rate = 0.85;
        utter.pitch = 1.05;
        window.speechSynthesis.speak(utter);
      }
    }

    playSoundBtn.addEventListener('click', playVowelSound);

    // Initial render
    updateView(1);
  </script>
</body>
</html>

What happens when your mouth narrows into an itch or drops open wide like a yawn?

Pull the corners of your lips back and scrunch your nose like you have an itch to say **/ĭ/**. Blend **/p/ - /ĭ/ - /g/** to read **pig**.

Drop your chin down and make your mouth a big round circle to say **/ŏ/**. Blend **/f/ - /ŏ/ - /x/** to read **fox**.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <meta name="aspect-ratio" content="4:3">
  <title>Short Vowel Sounds</title>
  <script src="{{VENDOR_CDN}}/classace-diagram.js"></script>
  <style>
    * {
      box-sizing: border-box;
      margin: 0;
      padding: 0;
      font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif;
      -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;
    }

    body {
      background: #ffffff;
      color: #1e2945;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      min-height: 100%;
      padding: 12px;
      user-select: none;
    }

    .main-wrap {
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 480px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      gap: 12px;
    }

    /* Vowel selector bar */
    .vowel-nav {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(5, 1fr);
      gap: 6px;
    }

    .vowel-btn {
      background: #f1f5f9;
      border: 2px solid transparent;
      border-radius: 12px;
      padding: 8px 4px;
      text-align: center;
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: all 0.2s ease;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 2px;
    }

    .vowel-btn .letter {
      font-size: 20px;
      font-weight: 800;
      color: #1e2945;
      line-height: 1;
    }

    .vowel-btn .phoneme {
      font-size: 13px;
      font-weight: 600;
      color: #64748b;
    }

    .vowel-btn.active {
      background: #e0f7fe;
      border-color: #48dbfb;
      box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(72, 219, 251, 0.25);
    }

    .vowel-btn.active .letter {
      color: #0284c7;
    }

    .vowel-btn.active .phoneme {
      color: #ff9f43;
      font-weight: 700;
    }

    /* Focus Card */
    .display-stage {
      background: #fafbfc;
      border: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
      border-radius: 16px;
      padding: 16px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 14px;
      position: relative;
    }

    .cue-row {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 12px;
    }

    .sound-badge {
      background: #ff9f43;
      color: #ffffff;
      font-size: 32px;
      font-weight: 900;
      width: 72px;
      height: 72px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(255, 159, 67, 0.35);
      transition: transform 0.2s ease;
    }

    .sound-badge.pop {
      transform: scale(1.08);
    }

    .cue-icon {
      font-size: 44px;
      line-height: 1;
    }

    /* Word blending track */
    .blend-track {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 6px;
      width: 100%;
    }

    .tile {
      background: #ffffff;
      border: 2px solid #cbd5e1;
      border-radius: 10px;
      font-size: 24px;
      font-weight: 800;
      width: 48px;
      height: 52px;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      color: #1e2945;
      transition: all 0.2s ease;
    }

    .tile.vowel {
      border-color: #ff9f43;
      background: #fff7ed;
      color: #ea580c;
    }

    .arrow {
      font-size: 18px;
      color: #94a3b8;
      font-weight: bold;
    }

    .word-result {
      background: #48dbfb;
      color: #0f172a;
      border-radius: 10px;
      font-size: 24px;
      font-weight: 800;
      padding: 0 16px;
      height: 52px;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      letter-spacing: 1px;
    }

    /* Sound action button */
    .audio-btn {
      background: #ffffff;
      border: 2px solid #e2e8f0;
      border-radius: 24px;
      padding: 8px 18px;
      font-size: 15px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: #0284c7;
      cursor: pointer;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 8px;
      transition: background 0.15s ease, border-color 0.15s ease;
    }

    .audio-btn:hover {
      background: #f0f9ff;
      border-color: #48dbfb;
    }

    .audio-btn:active {
      background: #e0f2fe;
    }

    /* Stepper dots */
    .controls-row {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: space-between;
      width: 100%;
      padding: 0 4px;
    }

    .nav-btn {
      background: #f1f5f9;
      border: none;
      border-radius: 8px;
      width: 36px;
      height: 36px;
      font-size: 16px;
      font-weight: bold;
      color: #475569;
      cursor: pointer;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
    }

    .nav-btn:hover {
      background: #e2e8f0;
    }

    .dots-group {
      display: flex;
      gap: 8px;
    }

    .dot {
      width: 10px;
      height: 10px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      background: #cbd5e1;
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: background 0.2s ease;
    }

    .dot.active {
      background: #ff9f43;
      width: 22px;
      border-radius: 5px;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>

  <div class="main-wrap">
    
    <div class="vowel-nav" role="tablist">
      <div class="vowel-btn active" role="tab" data-idx="0">
        <span class="letter">A a</span>
        <span class="phoneme">/ă/</span>
      </div>
      <div class="vowel-btn" role="tab" data-idx="1">
        <span class="letter">E e</span>
        <span class="phoneme">/ĕ/</span>
      </div>
      <div class="vowel-btn" role="tab" data-idx="2">
        <span class="letter">I i</span>
        <span class="phoneme">/ĭ/</span>
      </div>
      <div class="vowel-btn" role="tab" data-idx="3">
        <span class="letter">O o</span>
        <span class="phoneme">/ŏ/</span>
      </div>
      <div class="vowel-btn" role="tab" data-idx="4">
        <span class="letter">U u</span>
        <span class="phoneme">/ŭ/</span>
      </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="display-stage">
      <div class="cue-row">
        <div id="soundBadge" class="sound-badge">/ă/</div>
        <div id="cueIcon" class="cue-icon">🍎</div>
      </div>

      
      <div class="blend-track">
        <div id="c1" class="tile">c</div>
        <div id="vowelTile" class="tile vowel">a</div>
        <div id="c2" class="tile">t</div>
        <div class="arrow">→</div>
        <div id="wordResult" class="word-result">cat</div>
      </div>

      
      <button id="hearBtn" class="audio-btn" type="button">
        <span>🔊</span>
        <span id="hearLabel">Listen</span>
      </button>
    </div>

    
    <div class="controls-row">
      <button id="prevBtn" class="nav-btn" aria-label="Previous">◀</button>
      <div class="dots-group">
        <div class="dot active" data-idx="0"></div>
        <div class="dot" data-idx="1"></div>
        <div class="dot" data-idx="2"></div>
        <div class="dot" data-idx="3"></div>
        <div class="dot" data-idx="4"></div>
      </div>
      <button id="nextBtn" class="nav-btn" aria-label="Next">▶</button>
    </div>
  </div>

  <script>
    const DATA = [
      { letter: 'a', phoneme: '/ă/', icon: '🍎', c1: 'c', v: 'a', c2: 't', word: 'cat', say: 'short a, ah, cat' },
      { letter: 'e', phoneme: '/ĕ/', icon: '🥚', c1: 'b', v: 'e', c2: 'd', word: 'bed', say: 'short e, eh, bed' },
      { letter: 'i', phoneme: '/ĭ/', icon: '🦎', c1: 'p', v: 'i', c2: 'g', word: 'pig', say: 'short i, ih, pig' },
      { letter: 'o', phoneme: '/ŏ/', icon: '🦊', c1: 'f', v: 'o', c2: 'x', word: 'fox', say: 'short o, ah, fox' },
      { letter: 'u', phoneme: '/ŭ/', icon: '☂️', c1: 'c', v: 'u', c2: 'p', word: 'cup', say: 'short u, uh, cup' }
    ];

    let currentIndex = 0;

    const soundBadge = document.getElementById('soundBadge');
    const cueIcon = document.getElementById('cueIcon');
    const c1 = document.getElementById('c1');
    const vowelTile = document.getElementById('vowelTile');
    const c2 = document.getElementById('c2');
    const wordResult = document.getElementById('wordResult');
    const navButtons = document.querySelectorAll('.vowel-btn');
    const dots = document.querySelectorAll('.dot');

    function updateView(index) {
      currentIndex = (index + DATA.length) % DATA.length;
      const item = DATA[currentIndex];

      soundBadge.textContent = item.phoneme;
      soundBadge.classList.add('pop');
      setTimeout(() => soundBadge.classList.remove('pop'), 200);

      cueIcon.textContent = item.icon;
      c1.textContent = item.c1;
      vowelTile.textContent = item.v;
      c2.textContent = item.c2;
      wordResult.textContent = item.word;

      navButtons.forEach((btn, i) => {
        btn.classList.toggle('active', i === currentIndex);
      });

      dots.forEach((dot, i) => {
        dot.classList.toggle('active', i === currentIndex);
      });
    }

    function playAudio() {
      if ('speechSynthesis' in window) {
        window.speechSynthesis.cancel();
        const utter = new SpeechSynthesisUtterance(DATA[currentIndex].say);
        utter.rate = 0.85;
        window.speechSynthesis.speak(utter);
      }
      soundBadge.classList.add('pop');
      setTimeout(() => soundBadge.classList.remove('pop'), 250);
    }

    navButtons.forEach((btn, idx) => {
      btn.addEventListener('click', () => updateView(idx));
    });

    dots.forEach((dot, idx) => {
      dot.addEventListener('click', () => updateView(idx));
    });

    document.getElementById('prevBtn').addEventListener('click', () => updateView(currentIndex - 1));
    document.getElementById('nextBtn').addEventListener('click', () => updateView(currentIndex + 1));
    document.getElementById('hearBtn').addEventListener('click', playAudio);

    // Initial view set to short 'o' to directly tie to the surrounding lesson prompt if needed, or start at 'o' (3)
    updateView(3);
  </script>
</body>
</html>

Only one short vowel is left — what sound does it make when an umbrella pops open?

Relax your jaw and push a short puff of air from your belly to say **/ŭ/** as in **umbrella**. Blend **/b/ - /ŭ/ - /g/** to read **bug**.

Watch closely: swapping just the middle vowel changes the word completely!

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <meta name="aspect-ratio" content="4:3">
  <style>
    * {
      box-sizing: border-box;
      margin: 0;
      padding: 0;
      font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif;
      user-select: none;
      -webkit-user-select: none;
    }

    body {
      background: transparent;
      color: #1e2945;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      min-height: 100%;
      padding: 12px;
    }

    .machine-wrapper {
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 480px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 14px;
    }

    /* Vowel selector bar */
    .vowel-bar {
      display: flex;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 8px;
      width: 100%;
    }

    .vowel-btn {
      flex: 1;
      max-width: 68px;
      height: 48px;
      border: 2px solid #e2e8f0;
      border-radius: 12px;
      background: #ffffff;
      color: #1e2945;
      font-size: 20px;
      font-weight: 800;
      cursor: pointer;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      transition: all 0.25s ease;
      outline: none;
    }

    .vowel-btn:hover {
      background: #f1f2f6;
    }

    .vowel-btn.active {
      background: #5f27cd;
      border-color: #5f27cd;
      color: #ffffff;
      box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(95, 39, 205, 0.3);
    }

    .vowel-btn .accent {
      font-size: 11px;
      line-height: 1;
      opacity: 0.8;
      font-weight: 600;
    }

    /* Display Area */
    .display-stage {
      width: 100%;
      background: #f8fafc;
      border: 2px solid #e2e8f0;
      border-radius: 20px;
      padding: 16px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 14px;
      position: relative;
    }

    /* Word Tile Builder */
    .word-builder {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 8px;
    }

    .letter-tile {
      width: 72px;
      height: 76px;
      background: #ffffff;
      border: 2px solid #e2e8f0;
      border-radius: 14px;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      font-size: 40px;
      font-weight: 800;
      color: #1e2945;
      box-shadow: 0 3px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04);
      position: relative;
      transition: border-color 0.2s ease, background-color 0.2s ease;
    }

    .letter-tile.vowel-slot {
      background: #f3e8ff;
      border-color: #5f27cd;
      color: #5f27cd;
    }

    .letter-tile.highlight {
      border-color: #1dd1a1;
      background: #e6fff7;
    }

    /* Sound Dots */
    .sound-track {
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 8px;
      width: 100%;
    }

    .dots-row {
      display: flex;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 56px;
    }

    .sound-dot {
      width: 24px;
      height: 24px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      background: #cbd5e1;
      border: 3px solid #ffffff;
      box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: all 0.2s ease;
    }

    .sound-dot.active {
      background: #1dd1a1;
      box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(29, 209, 161, 0.6);
    }

    /* Picture card */
    .picture-card {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 12px;
      background: #ffffff;
      border: 1.5px solid #e2e8f0;
      border-radius: 14px;
      padding: 10px 24px;
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 260px;
      height: 64px;
    }

    .picture-emoji {
      font-size: 34px;
      line-height: 1;
    }

    .picture-name {
      font-size: 22px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: #1e2945;
      letter-spacing: 0.5px;
    }

    /* Blend slider button */
    .blend-btn {
      display: inline-flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 6px;
      background: #1dd1a1;
      color: #0b4f3d;
      border: none;
      padding: 8px 18px;
      border-radius: 20px;
      font-size: 14px;
      font-weight: 700;
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: opacity 0.2s ease, filter 0.2s ease;
    }

    .blend-btn:hover {
      filter: brightness(0.95);
    }

    .blend-btn:active {
      opacity: 0.85;
    }

    /* Auto play controls */
    .controls {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 12px;
    }

    .ctrl-btn {
      background: #f1f2f6;
      border: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
      border-radius: 8px;
      padding: 6px 14px;
      font-size: 13px;
      font-weight: 600;
      color: #4b5563;
      cursor: pointer;
    }

    .ctrl-btn:hover {
      background: #e5e7eb;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>

  <div class="machine-wrapper">
    
    <div class="vowel-bar" role="tablist">
      <button class="vowel-btn active" onclick="selectVowel(0)" id="btn-0">
        <span>A</span><span class="accent">/æ/</span>
      </button>
      <button class="vowel-btn" onclick="selectVowel(1)" id="btn-1">
        <span>E</span><span class="accent">/e/</span>
      </button>
      <button class="vowel-btn" onclick="selectVowel(2)" id="btn-2">
        <span>I</span><span class="accent">/ɪ/</span>
      </button>
      <button class="vowel-btn" onclick="selectVowel(3)" id="btn-3">
        <span>O</span><span class="accent">/ɒ/</span>
      </button>
      <button class="vowel-btn" onclick="selectVowel(4)" id="btn-4">
        <span>U</span><span class="accent">/ʌ/</span>
      </button>
    </div>

    
    <div class="display-stage">
      
      <div class="word-builder">
        <div class="letter-tile" id="tile-0">b</div>
        <div class="letter-tile vowel-slot" id="tile-1">a</div>
        <div class="letter-tile" id="tile-2">g</div>
      </div>

      
      <div class="sound-track">
        <div class="dots-row">
          <div class="sound-dot" id="dot-0" onclick="tapDot(0)" title="Sound 1"></div>
          <div class="sound-dot" id="dot-1" onclick="tapDot(1)" title="Sound 2"></div>
          <div class="sound-dot" id="dot-2" onclick="tapDot(2)" title="Sound 3"></div>
        </div>
      </div>

      
      <div class="picture-card">
        <span class="picture-emoji" id="pic-emoji">🎒</span>
        <span class="picture-name" id="pic-word">bag</span>
      </div>

      
      <button class="blend-btn" onclick="blendSounds()">
        <span>✦</span> Slide & Blend <span>→</span>
      </button>
    </div>

    
    <div class="controls">
      <button class="ctrl-btn" id="play-btn" onclick="togglePlay()">⏸ Auto-Cycle</button>
    </div>
  </div>

  <script>
    const data = [
      { vowel: 'a', word: 'bag', emoji: '🎒' },
      { vowel: 'e', word: 'beg', emoji: '🐶' },
      { vowel: 'i', word: 'big', emoji: '🐘' },
      { vowel: 'o', word: 'bog', emoji: '🐸' },
      { vowel: 'u', word: 'bug', emoji: '🐞' }
    ];

    let currentIndex = 0;
    let isPlaying = true;
    let timer = null;

    function selectVowel(index) {
      currentIndex = index;
      const item = data[index];

      // Update Vowel Buttons
      for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
        document.getElementById(`btn-${i}`).classList.toggle('active', i === index);
      }

      // Update Letter Tiles
      document.getElementById('tile-1').textContent = item.vowel;

      // Update Picture Card
      document.getElementById('pic-emoji').textContent = item.emoji;
      document.getElementById('pic-word').textContent = item.word;

      // Reset dot highlights
      resetHighlights();
    }

    function tapDot(idx) {
      resetHighlights();
      document.getElementById(`dot-${idx}`).classList.add('active');
      document.getElementById(`tile-${idx}`).classList.add('highlight');
      setTimeout(resetHighlights, 600);
    }

    function blendSounds() {
      resetHighlights();
      let step = 0;
      const interval = setInterval(() => {
        if (step < 3) {
          document.querySelectorAll('.sound-dot').forEach((d, i) => d.classList.toggle('active', i === step));
          document.querySelectorAll('.letter-tile').forEach((t, i) => t.classList.toggle('highlight', i === step));
          step++;
        } else {
          clearInterval(interval);
          setTimeout(resetHighlights, 400);
        }
      }, 350);
    }

    function resetHighlights() {
      for (let i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
        document.getElementById(`dot-${i}`).classList.remove('active');
        document.getElementById(`tile-${i}`).classList.remove('highlight');
      }
    }

    function autoStep() {
      selectVowel((currentIndex + 1) % data.length);
    }

    function startTimer() {
      if (timer) clearInterval(timer);
      timer = setInterval(autoStep, 3200);
    }

    function togglePlay() {
      isPlaying = !isPlaying;
      const btn = document.getElementById('play-btn');
      if (isPlaying) {
        btn.textContent = '⏸ Auto-Cycle';
        startTimer();
      } else {
        btn.textContent = '▶ Auto-Cycle';
        clearInterval(timer);
      }
    }

    // Initialize
    selectVowel(0);
    startTimer();
  </script>
</body>
</html>

Next time you read a three-letter word, tap each sound dot with your finger, make the quick short vowel sound, and slide them together!

Short Vowel Sounds: a, e, i, o, u. Recognise and say the five short vowel sounds and read words containing them.

Systematic Synthetic Phonics Lesson Sequence: Short Vowels, Blending, and CVC Closed Syllables

Learn Short Vowels and Read CVC Words with Alphablocks

Identify Short Vowel Sounds and Complete the Short Vowel Word

Instruction for Years 1-2 students mastering Australian Curriculum standard AC9E1LY11 must use Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) and multi-sensory articulation cues. Direct explicit instruction should pair auditory discriminative listening with articulatory mouth gestures (hand-under-chin method to feel jaw drop for /æ/ vs /e/, or observing lip rounding for /ɒ/). Practice must advance sequentially: (1) isolated phoneme-grapheme matching, (2) continuous blending in simple CVC words, (3) consonant blends with short vowels (CCVC/CVCC), and (4) chunking short-vowel closed syllables in two-syllable compound words. High-repetition decodable texts that strictly align with taught short vowel sounds ensure long-term orthographic mapping without reliance on contextual guessing.

Short Vowel Sounds: a, e, i, o, u

Short A and Short E

Short I and Short O