Lesson 66
Closed & Open Syllables
Learning about open and closed syllables
For students who need extra practice differentiating open and closed syllables, try syllable sorts. Gather a set of open and closed syllables (real or nonsense words) and have students sort them into open and closed categories. After sorting, students can read and spell the syllables.
Today's plan
about 15 min- Step 1Warm up our ears (blend & segment)2 min
- Steps 2 & 3Look & Say / Listen & Spell4 min
- Step 4Blending drill3 min
- Step 5New concept + read/spell6 min
Warm Up Our Ears
Say the sounds; students blend them into a word. Then say a word; students break it apart.
Blend it (teacher says sounds → you say word)
Break it (I say word → you say sounds)
Flashcard Drills
Full-screen cards for the class. Tap a card to check the answer, or press Hear the words to hear the example words read aloud.
Blending Drill
Change one part at a time and read the new word.
Initial
f l t r c
Middle
a
i
Final
ke ce mp mps
+
New Concept
Today we learn about open and closed syllables and how they affect the vowel sound.
Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.
A syllable is a word or a part of a word with one vowel sound. A syllable can be pushed out in one breath. Your chin will usually drop slightly as you say each syllable in a word. Let's practice. Closed syllables have only one vowel and the vowel is followed by one or more consonants; the vowel sound is short (hop, kick, fast). Open syllables have only one vowel and that vowel is the last letter in the syllable; the vowel sound is long (hi, go, she).
Closed syllables
A closed syllable has one vowel followed by at least one consonant, and the vowel makes a short sound. The short vowel sounds are /ă/, /ĕ/, /ĭ/, /ŏ/, /ŭ/. Hop, kick, and fast are all examples of closed syllables.
Open syllables
An open syllable has one vowel and that vowel is the last letter in the syllable, so the vowel sound is long. The long vowel sounds are /ā/, /ē/, /ī/, /ō/, /ū/. Hi, go, and she are examples of open syllables.
Sound wall
Add 'a' under /ă/, 'e' under /ĕ/, 'i' under /ĭ/, 'o' under /ŏ/, and 'u' under /ŭ/.
Open the digital sound wall →