the book asks for the vowels

circle the vowel spellings

Does this mean the vowels?
coin = oi

please = eae

Yes, all those are vowels, whether they occur singularly or in pairs, whether they are silent or pronounced:

bear = vowels are e and a
hopped = vowels are o and e
etc.

Here are some definitions of vowels on different websites:

http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/vowel.html
(...for people learning English as a second language, but the explanations in this website are excellent.)

http://www.kidzone.ws/kindergarten/vowels/index-short-vowels.htm
(...for very young children)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vowel
(VERY complicated explanation!!!)

To circle the vowel spellings in a word, you need to identify the vowels in the word and then mark or highlight them. Vowels are the letters 'a,' 'e,' 'i,' 'o,' and 'u' (sometimes 'y' can also be considered a vowel).

In the word "coin," the vowels are 'o' and 'i,' so you circle or mark those letters: "c(o)i(n)."

In the word "please," the vowels are 'e,' 'a,' and 'e.' So you circle or mark those letters: "(pl)e(a)s(e)."