Do We Really Need to Teach the Ah-mah-zing Schwa? Yes!

What Is It?

No, the schwa is not a new hipster band or the must-have condiment du jour.  The schwa is the unstressed sound that occurs in unstressed syllables and pronounced with a short, relaxed "uh" sound.  It’s represented by the symbol "ə." 

The schwa is also known as the laziest sound in the English language, as it demands the least of us.  The schwa is as serene and undemanding as an evening sunset. The essence of speech itself.

Examples of the Schwa: 

a - Balloon

e - Problem

u - Support

i - Family

o -Other

y - Analysis

o - Memory

i - Pencil

e - Taken

Why Teach It?

So, who cares about the laziest sound in the English language and why should we teach it in an already stacked curriculum?  Is teaching the schwa going to raise text scores?  Yes – it definitely might!   

Understanding the nuances of the schwa helps students decode and encode words which generates reading fluency and comprehension.  It also gives students the tools to navigate the complexities of spoken and written English, which enhances overall language proficiency (and raises test scores)!

Mastery of the schwa is especially beneficial for English Learners.  English is a stress-timed language, meaning that stressed syllables occur at regular intervals. The schwa often appears in unstressed syllables, and understanding its role helps English Learners grasp syllable stress, which is vital for proper pronunciation and rhythm.  In addition, recognizing schwa spelling patterns helps English Learners in both reading stamina and pronunciation.

Activities:

Ready to teach schwa awareness?  Grammar doesn’t have to be an old school "kill and drill" activity.  Fun and engaging activities to promote the schwa include:

• Schwa Word Sorts
• Schwa Word Wall 
• Schwa Scavenger Hunt
• Schwa Story Telling 
• Schwa Tongue Twisters, such as:

            Sally sells seashells by the schwa shore.

            Eddie edits excellent essays.

            Oliver opened an umbrella.

            Betty bought bitter butter.

            Mickey’s tricky picnic was terrific.

            Walter wants to water the plants.

            Tommy’s tall tale involved a talking tomato.

            

Yes!  It’s time to teach and celebrate the ah-mah-zing Schwa!