What Is A Syllable?
A syllable is a chunk or a part of a word containing one vowel sound and may contain a consonant or consonants. 80% of words in English have more than one syllable. Syllables can be be taught at an early age and can be referred to as “beats”. Counting syllables is a phonological awareness (auditory) and pre reading skill. It is important for children to recognize that words have different parts.
Young children can clap the beats or syllables they hear in a word. Show children about syllables by pointing out that when you open and close your mouth when saying the word. When I teach my Pre Ks and Kindergartners, I have them put their hands under their chin or on their throat and “feel” how many sounds they hear. They love this and love to practice counting the syllables! It is important to include activities for syllables in your literacy block.
Why Teach Syllables?
When readers understand how to break up a word in syllables, it makes it easier to read unknown words. When readers can read or “sound out” chunks , those chunks are easier to remember in our short term memory rather than remembering all the single phonemes in a word. Dividing words into chunks and blending the chunks together, speeds up the process of decoding which creates more fluent readers.
When children understand the six syllable types and know how to divide words, it helps them as spellers. Instead of not knowing how to spell a word, students can break the word apart and spell each syllable. Syllabication helps readers to see patterns in words. Once they see patterns that they recognize, they become more fluent readers.
Helping Children With Reading Difficulties
Using Activities for Syllables
If we know and understand the rules for syllabication, it helps readers read more accurately and fluently. Syllabication can help children pronounce words they may not recognize but have in their oral vocabularies. A wonderful thing happened recently when I was tutoring a sweet fourth grader. He was reading at a first grade reading level, and frustrated and struggling in school. One day I was teaching him how to divide the syllables using his vocabulary words. He got to one particularly long word, divided it and was able to pronounce it perfectly. He said “Wait! I know that word!! “
After using the Orton Gillingham approach and focusing on syllabication with him for several months, he was reading like a champ at a third grade level. His teachers are so surprised and cannot not believe the improvement! The ability to break words into chunks or syllables is extremely important and valuable to children with reading difficulties.
7 Ways to Teach and Practice Syllables
Using Activities for Syllables
Syllables are not always quickly mastered and should be continually taught explicitly and practiced. Once you have taught syllables, you can review them often by including them in your literacy centers. Here are some fun ways to practice syllables with your students.
Types of Syllables
Open and Closed Syllables with Visuals – When the students are ready, you can teach the different types of syllables and the rules to divide words. When you are teaching open and closed syllables, it is fun to write words on doors that open and close. This will show the children when a syllable is open or closed.
Syllable Patterns
Index cards- You can write word on the index cards and have students divide the syllables and then have them cut the cards by syllable. The cards can be saved and students can be put back together to make words.
Syllable Sorts- Write words on cards and have the students sort the cards. The words can be sorted by number of syllables or syllable types.
Clip cards- Clip cards can be prepared and laminated for students to use for center time. The clip cards can use words or pictures. On the side of card you can put the number of syllables for the children to circle with a dry erase marker or clip with a mini clothespin.
Marking syllables- In the Orton Gillingham approach, student are taught to divide syllables by labeling vowels and consonants. This is great for practicing the syllable types and is a great way for students to see patterns.
Dot the Syllables- You can use BINGO daubers or Dot Art Painters to have students count the syllables. Give them a card with boxes and have the dot a box for every syllable they hear.
Play dough– Have the students make small balls of play dough. Place each ball in a box printed on a card. The students smush a ball of play dough for every syllable that they hear.
Call me crazy but I love dividing syllables with my students. As a tutor, I have seen so much success teaching this to struggling readers ! I love this part of my Orton Gillingham training!! My experience has shown me the importance of the skill and hope that you will too and intentionally teach syllables to your students !
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