Phonics:

When the word has one vowel the vowel is short unless the vowel is at the end of the word.
Last E words or words that have one vowel, followed by one constanent, followed by a e on the end. Examples: take make base lace
In these type of words the vowel before the contanent has a long sound, and the e following the constanent is silent.
ea ee ie have long e sound.
ei ey ai ay have long a sound.
ie has long i sound.
ew ue have long u sound.
ow oe have long o sound.
ph has f sound.