Long I Words

Our Long i Words resources for kids! We’ve created kid-friendly long vowel tools like word lists, posters, literacy games, and reference pages that will support your young learners in building their reading, writing, and spelling abilities. Integrating these materials into fun language exercises and combining them with our READ Curriculum can significantly boost students’ grasp of phonics principles!

What is a Long i Word?

The long i sound is part of 5 long vowel sounds: a, e, i, o, and u. All of these ‘long’ vowel sounds say their name, unlike short vowel sounds. Long i says /ī/ like in pine. There are several spelling patterns of long vowel ‘a’ sounds including i_e (or silent e), ie, y, and igh. All of our posters and charts include practical examples to help kids identify long a sounds easily.

I says its long sound in an open syllable, which is any syllable that ends with a vowel. For long i sounds, an example includes ‘mice’ with the i_e sound or ‘y’ with the ending sound of -y.

Long i Word List

This long I-word list separates our long I vowel sound words into different spelling patterns. It is perfect for more advanced learners or upper elementary grades.

Words with Long i List

Long I word chart with pictures. This chart also shows the different long I vowel sounds and how they are made by different letters.

Long i Words Poster

This long I words poster shows the various spelling patterns used to create the long I vowel sound. This makes a great classroom chart or student reference guide.

Examples of Long i Words

As a teacher, it’s essential to have short and relatable examples of long ”i’ words that kids can remember easily. Consider words like “rice” with one open syllable. An open syllable contains a long sound at the end of the syllable. You can hear the “i” in ri-ce. Additionally, words like “pie” and “light” showcase the long “i” sound using the silent e rule. Utilizing these examples in teaching can aid students in recognizing and utilizing long ‘i’ sounds in their everyday vocabulary and reading comprehension.

4 Spelling Patterns for Long I

Below is a list of vowel team words based on spelling patterns of long a vowel sounds. These long i vowel words include beginning, middle, and beginning sounds with blends and digraphs.

Blends in Long i Words

Blends are when two or more consonants hang out together in a word, like “fl” in “flies”; they’re buddies, and they make the “fl” sound when you say the word, like “fly”.

Digraphs in Long i Words

Digraphs can be decoded where there are two vowels together to produce one sound, such as “ie” in “cried”. See a breakdown of the diagraph examples below along with a huge and practical list to print for your beginner readers or elementary age students learning to decode short and easy words.

“igh” as in:
- Sight
- Light
- Night
“ie” as in:
- Pie
- Lie
- Tie
“y” at the end of a word, as in:
- Cry
- Fly
- Dry

I_E Words (or Long i with silent e)

This long i word list of i_e words or silent e with long a i words. It’s an easy to use list of words contain letter I where the sounds says it’s name and follows the pattern VCe (vowel-consonant-e). Some teachers like to say the e is magic or stays silent as the “silent e”.

Rice
Mice
Line
Mine
Dine
Pine
vine
Bike
Hike
Ride
Tide
Wide
Pile
File
Lime
Dime
Wipe
Fire

IE Long I Vowel Words

This list contains IE spelling patterns or digraphs that are every day words for kids to understand easily and apply to their growing reading comprehension.

lie
tie
tied
flies
died
cried
pie
pliers

IGH Long I Vowel Words

Our list of IGH Long i Words are great examples of digraphs and are specifically chosen for elementary school kids to learn how to read seeing easy and practical spelling patterns.

light
fright
sight
hight
tight
thigh
bright
Sigh
knight
night

Y Long I Vowel Words

Our -y digraph list for long i Words contains mostly simple 3 letter words which are perfect for beginner readers.

sky
sly
spy
cry
why
July
Fly
fry
reply
buy

Long I Word Flashcard Set

These Long I Vowel Flashcards are perfect for students learning how to read. They show a spelling pattern and are sorted conveniently for teachers. Plus, we’ve included a bonus set of picture long i flashcards! These make a perfect set so make sure you check out our learning game mat for matching game ideas!

Also, don’t miss out on downloading a set of our CVCe Flashcards for more exciting patterns in phonics reading when your students are ready for the next level!

Long i Word Flashcards Set 1

Printable long I flashcards feature a variety of long I words. From open to closed syllables, digraphs, blends, and more, there’s something for every learning environment.

Long i Words Picture Flashcards Set 1

Long I word flashcards with matching pictures are a great visual resource. These printable flashcards can be used in game play, reading practice, and more!

Long i Words Picture Flashcards Set 2

Long I word flashcards with matching pictures are a great visual resource. These printable flashcards can be used in game play, reading practice, and more!

Long i Words Picture Flashcard Set 3

Long I word flashcards with matching pictures are a great visual resource. These printable flashcards can be used in game play, reading practice, and more!

Long i Words Picture Flashcard Set 4

Long I word flashcards with matching pictures are a great visual resource. These printable flashcards can be used in game play, reading practice, and more!

Long I Words Games and Worksheets

Make the most of our fun Long I activities in your classroom or homeschool setup by using each tool for practice or as helpful guides. When you include our fun, printable activities all about Long I words, you’ll set up a lively learning space that works for different ways of learning, making sure your students have a blast while they learn!