Activities for Teaching Two Syllable Words with a Closed Syllable
Are you looking to help your students learn how to decode two syllable words? In this blog post, I’m sharing four teaching activities for reading and dividing words with two syllables. I’ll be talking specifically about teaching multisyllabic words with closed syllables- which is the perfect place to start! If you’d like to give your students a leg up when it comes to decoding longer words, then read on!
Students Build Words
I LOVE this activity for introducing two-syllable words. Have a set of word cards divided into syllables and some matching pictures. Using about 5-8 words works great! Students read the word parts and build the words. Then have children read the words, clapping the syllables as they read. After completing this activity together a few times, it makes a great learning center!
Use Pictures to Practice Dividing Syllables
For this activity start with 2 syllable words and matching picture cards. Start by clapping the syllables together with your class. Have students help you determine where you should divide the words into two parts. Model using scissors and cutting the word into the chunks. I recommend completing about 8-10 words at a time.
After completing this activity together several times, students can practice with their own small set of word/picture cards.
Syllable Scoop
For this activity, mark the words with “scoops” under the syllables prior to showing the words to students. Work together with students to read each scoop, and then blend the parts together. This is a great way to work on fluency!
Divide Words into 2 Closed Syllables VC|CV Pattern
The VC|CV pattern is a great syllable pattern to teach your students. It is easy to grasp and is a commonly found word pattern for multisyllable words. VC|CV stands for vowel, consonant, consonant, vowel. The syllable is divided between the two consonants. With this pattern, the first syllable will always be closed, since there is a consonant after the vowel.
First, you want to find and label the vowels. Next, mark the consonants between the vowels. Then the word is divided between the two consonants. Words with double consonants such as muffin, rabbit, mitten, etc. work especially well when you first introduce this concept. Last, students can mark the vowels with a breve to show the vowel makes it “closed” sound. This strategy is especially helpful for students who need more assistance knowing how to break words into syllables.
Grab the Word Cards!
These fun and creative activities can engage and inspire students! By providing these hands-on learning experiences students can really dig in and expand their understanding of two syllable words. Becoming familiar with word patterns can help unlock the mysteries of even the most difficult words. If you love these activities, check out the two syllable word cards I have created!
Need more phonics ideas? Learn about using word sorts in your instructional routine!
