Multisyllabic Words Part II-Syllable Types

Once children understand the concept of syllables they are ready to learn the syllable types. There are are six syllable spelling patterns.  You may not have learned this a kid yourself because it either came naturally to you or it just wasn't taught.

The Six Common Syllables

1.  Closed Syllable:This syllable contains one vowel that is closed in with what I call a 'backdoor' that generally makes the vowel short. (Examples: in, cat, nap-kin)
2. Silent e Syllable (Vowel Consonant E Syllable): This syllable contains a vowel, a consonant and an e, The e is silent and the vowel is long.  Growing up you may remember these words as silent e words or magic e words. (Examples: cake, up-state)
3. Vowel Team Syllable: This syllable has two vowels smack right next to each other.  The vowel team appears in the same syllable-ai, ay, ee, ea, oa, oo, oi, oy, ou (ow), ie,  and  ei (Examples: tree, sai-lboat)
4. Open Syllable: These syllables end in a vowel.  The vowel generally makes the long sound.  (Examples: my, by, ti-ger)
5. R-Controlled:You may remember this as Bossy R.  When a vowel is followed by the letter r, the vowel sound changes. -ar, or, ur, ir, er (Examples: car, tur-tle )
6. Consonant -le: When the letters le appear at the end of a word (Examples: lit-tle, able)

Download a great cheat sheet 

Learning these syllable types will provide children will an insight to spelling patterns and how words are put together.  

Once children understand the concept of a syllable they can begin to learn how to divide the words into syllables using their EYES!  I tell my students that its like MAGIC! Check out Part III for syllable division rules.