I is for ice cream (LONG I): Building Phonemic Awareness and Letter Identification

How to Use This Book

Letter Focus: Explain that this book focuses on the long I sound /ī/. Say: "Sometimes, the letter I says its name, like in 'ice' and 'ice cream'!" Explain that many words in this book have a silent e at the end and that it makes the vowel say its name! Point to words like kite, bite, line, and vine, emphasizing how the e is quiet but powerful!

Rhyming Words: This story shows words that rhyme. Read pairs together:

tire – wire, kite – bite, line – vine, dive – hive, pile – tile

Ask: "What do you notice about these words?" (They sound the same at the end!)

Reading Together: Have students place their finger on the beginning letter I and stretch the word, making a strong emphasis on the long I sound.

Let’s Talk!

What was your favorite rhyming word in the book? Why do you think the author ended with "Time... for ice cream"? Write rhyming words from the book on cards and match them.