The "oo-short" sound
short oo as in book · Vowel teams
Two vowels team up to make one short oo sound. Teach the sound before the spelling: say short oo as in book until your child can hear it inside a word, then show them the letters that make it.
oo-short
short oo as in book
"oo-short" words
- book
- look
- foot
- good
- cook
- wood
Teach it in four steps
- Say short oo as in book on its own, five times, with no letters visible.
- Show the letters "oo-short" and say the sound together.
- Read book, look, foot, good, cook and listen for it each time.
- Cover the words. Your child writes two of them from memory.
Common questions
What sound does "oo-short" make?
"oo-short" says short oo as in book. Two vowels team up to make one short oo sound.
What are some "oo-short" words?
book, look, foot, good, cook, wood.
How do you teach the "oo-short" sound?
Sound before symbol. Say short oo as in book on its own until your child can hear it, then show the letters, then read words containing it. Finish by having them write two words from memory.
When should children learn "oo-short"?
Once single-letter sounds and simple CVC blending are secure — usually late kindergarten or first grade.
Play the "oo-short" game
Sound Wheels plays the sound in a real human voice and builds words with it.
Play freeTeacher or school? See classroom pricing