Letter Box - Learn to Read

I have been discussing previously the syllable types. We began with closed syllables which have the short vowel sound and end with one or more consonants.

The next syllable type is the open syllable which has the name of the vowel on the end of a syllable-e.g. the word, open, has a consonant separating the two vowels, so there are two syllables. The first syllable is the letter, o, saying its' name. This is an open syllable because it has no consonants protecting it, or, in other words, it has no consonants forcing it to say its sound.The second syllable is, pen. The vowel in this syllable has a short vowel sound and a consonant on the end protecting it.

The picture below shows a division of syllables-
o standing as an open syllable and the syllable, pen, as a closed syllable.

Teaching spelling to many different levels of spelling is enhanced if charts are on display for the letters that match the sounds being introduced. Individual charts are the best for students who are having difficulties with lower level sounds. Scaffolding children with everything that they need as support is time consuming, but, the results are truely gratifying. The students gain confidence and eventually love spelling.
One strategy that works for students who are struggling with multisyllable words, is to identify the syllable types. Once this knowledge is known, clapping words into syllables and then stretching those syllables brings success. I will introduce the syllable types in another post next week and will emphasise the importance of knowing the rules related to long and short vowels.
Happy spelling!!!!
This teacher needs a glass of champagne!!!!!