When students know how to split words into syllables, they can read and write longer and more difficult words. Footsteps2Brilliance has outlined 10 rules to help with syllable division. Students will need to know and practice these rules to successfully split multisyllabic words. Read through this week’s Teacher Tip Tuesday for all 10 rules, plus Footsteps2Brilliance games and free printables to practice them!
How are there 6 Syllable Types, but 10 Rules for Splitting Syllables?
Multisyllabic words are comprised of different combinations of the 6 Syllable Types. These combinations can then be categorized into the 10 Splitting Syllables Rules. Below are explanations for each rule. Be sure to watch the gifs to see the splitting games in action!
Closed Syllable Pattern: VCCV
Seen in the words basket, helmet, and cactus. Click here to play!
Closed Syllable Pattern VCCCV
Seen in the words pumpkin, hundred, and subtract.
Closed Syllable Pattern: VCCy
Seen in the words happy, hungry, and fifty.
Open Syllable Pattern V,CV
Seen in the words robot, tulip, and frozen.
Closed Syllable Pattern: VC,V
Seen in the words planet, closet, and body. Click here to play!
Magic E Syllable Pattern: VCe
Seen in the words reptile, costume, and tadpole.
Vowel Teams Syllable Pattern
Seen in words like railroad, shampoo, and poison.
R-Controlled Syllable Pattern
Seen in the words carpet, butter, and turnip.
Consonant + LE Syllable Pattern
Seen in words like candle, battle, and puzzle.
Open Syllable Pattern: V,V
Seen in the words lion, diet, and dial.
Free printable game: Rule 9 Consonant + Le Syllable Smash
Click here for the free printable Syllable Smash game (Consonant + Le).
Join us each week as we cover the scope and sequence for teaching syllables!
Looking for more Teacher Tip Tuesday content? Click here for the Effective Strategies for Teaching English Learners series, complete collection.
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