Lesson 68
Open/Closed
Reading and spelling words with open and closed syllables
When practicing reading and spelling multisyllabic words, reinforce the connection between syllable type and vowel sound: open syllables have a long vowel sound, closed syllables have a short vowel sound. The schwa sound can be represented by any vowel letter in an unstressed syllable.
Today's plan
about 20 min- Step 1Warm up our ears (blend & segment)2 min
- Steps 2 & 3Look & Say / Listen & Spell4 min
- Step 4Blending drill3 min
- Step 5New concept6 min
- Step 5Read & spell the new words5 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)
Sound 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.
👂 Listen & Spell — teacher list (5 sounds)
Say each sound; students write the spelling(s). Read straight from this list.
- /ə/a (as in apple), e (as in bed), i (as in sit), o (as in hot), u (as in cup), y (as in yes) · about
- /ā/a (as in table) · basic
- /ē/e (as in me) · even
- /ī/i (as in find) · item
- /ō/o (as in go) · open
Blending Drill
Change one part at a time and read the new word.
Initial
b g m n
Middle
Final
+
New Concept
Today we learn about open syllables and how to combine them with closed syllables to read longer words.
Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.
We have been learning about closed and open syllables. A closed syllable has one vowel that makes a short sound and ends with a consonant. An open syllable has one vowel that makes a long sound and ends with that vowel. We can combine open and closed syllables to make longer words.
Open + closed = longer words
The first part of the word is be, an open syllable. The next part is yond, a closed syllable. Put together, be + yond makes beyond.
Stress and schwa
In many two-syllable words, one syllable is stressed and said a little louder and longer, like -bout in about. The other syllable is pronounced as a schwa, the /ə/ sound. The schwa can be spelled by any vowel letter: A, E, I, O, U, and even Y, as in , , , denim.
How our mouth moves
Review articulatory gestures for taught sounds, as needed. Refer to sound wall as needed.
Read & Spell
Read — I do
Read — We do
Spell — I do
Spell — We do