3.1 Prepare for Instruction on Multisyllabic Words

Many of your students will catch on to decoding multisyllabic words quickly. We've provided detailed instructions and resources so that you'll be able to help even the children who don't. Being able to read multisyllabic words, we hope, will give them a huge confidence boost and lead to them reading more and more!

In this section we will:

• Learn (or Review) a Teaching Strategy
• Choose Words for Your Lesson
• Gather the Materials You Need

Learn (or Review) a Teaching Strategy: Dividing VCCV Words

We are focusing on multisyllabic words that have the VCCV pattern (vowel-consonant-consonant-vowel), which is the most common in the English language. In this pattern, the syllable break occurs between the two consonants. Students will use their understanding of closed syllables and their vowel sound (short) to read the syllables … and then put those two syllables together to read the word. By learning syllable division patterns, students are able to break multisyllabic words into decodable parts, making them easier to read.

Teacher Tip

Word Choice Matters!

Word choice is important here! We want to make sure the second syllable is also a closed syllable when we are introducing this pattern. Students should be very comfortable with reading words with this pattern so it allows them to focus on the new strategy.

Here's a five-step process to support your students as they are learning this skill:

(Print the Syllable Division Steps for VCCV Pattern (opens in new window) above for your reference.)

Teacher Tip

The Need to Scaffold

This strategy is a scaffold that fades over time. Labeling the syllable type is usually the first scaffold to drop. With practice, students should be able to identify the syllable type and know how to pronounce the vowels automatically.

Learn more syllable division patterns in Teaching Other Syllable Division Patterns.

Choose Words for Your Lesson

Word selection is key! As you prepare for instruction, it's important to be intentional about the words you choose for practicing dividing words into syllables. Here's what we recommend:

• Print out Reading Universe's VCCV word list (opens in new window) for ideas.
• Select words with syllables that you know your students can read.
• Select words that may be unfamiliar to them, like sudden or witness, or that have multiple meanings, like address, to deepen students' understanding of language and build vocabulary.

Gather the Materials You Need

Here are some materials you might need for your lessons (including some mentioned above):

The VCCV Pattern in Multisyllabic Words: List of Words, Phrases, and Sentences for Lesson Planning

Closed Syllable Flash Cards

Dictation Paper for Multisyllabic Words

Our Resource Hub has additional word lists and read sheets for practicing with multisyllabic words.