6 types of syllables

• English
• 4th Grade

There are 6 kinds of syllables in the words we read and write. Here they are.

Syllable rules are very important to know for spelling and decoding, and critical to teach to students who struggle in either reading or spelling.

Knowing the different syllable patterns and how to split words into syllables helps students decode and spell words correctly. They can predict what sound a vowel will make and break up longer words into smaller parts for easier reading.

A closed syllable is a syllable with a short vowel sound and one or more consonants at the end. See the graphic to the left  for examples of closed syllables.

What’s happening in a closed syllable is that the consonant(s) after the vowel is closing it in and not allowing it to say its name, so the vowel makes a short sound.

The consonant after the vowel is a  bully who doesn't let the vowel say it's name!

 Magic e has special powers, it can jump over one consonant to help the vowel say it's name.

R controlled vowels are often called “Bossy R” because the r takes over and makes the vowel make a new sound.

The er, ir, and ur all make the same sound /er/ as in her, bird, and fur.

But ar and or are a little different, as they have more than one sound.

Ar usually makes the sound in car, but can also make the sound in beggar and arrow.

Or usually makes the sound in corn, but can also make the /er/ sound as in the word doctor.

Consonant-le syllable – v-le

A consonant-le syllable has no vowel sound. The silent e at the end of the syllable is the only vowel. Only the consonant and the l are pronounced. Examples include: purple, table, maple.

Closed

Open

Vowel Team

R-Controlled

Consonant -le

Magic E

6 types of syllables

What syllable is: crash?

1. open
2. closed
3. vowel team
4. r-controlled

What syllable is: pool?

1. open
2. closed
3. vowel team
4. r-controlled

What is the 1st syllable in: crazy? (cra/zy)

1. open
2. closed
3. vowel team
4. r-controlled

What is the 1st syllable in: purple?

1. open
2. closed
3. vowel team
4. r-controlled

What is the 2nd syllable in: purple?

1. consonant -le
2. closed
3. vowel team
4. r-controlled

You got it?

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