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An r-controlled vowel refers to a specific syllable pattern. Syllables that contain the r-controlled vowel pattern have one vowel that is immediately followed by an r. The r changes the sound of the vowel so that the vowel makes neither the short sound nor the long sound. What are the sounds of an r-controlled vowel?…
The open syllable is a great way to introduce beginning readers to the long vowel sound as it appears in print. Hopefully, you’ve continued to work on Phonemic Awareness with a variety of vowel sounds so when students begin to connect the sound to print, they will have had previous exposure to the long vowel…
Teachers need a phonics scope and sequence because it provides a framework for instruction. Like a roadmap, a scope and sequence ensures that the instructor will effectively move their student(s) from point A to point B without missing any turns (or elements). A scope and sequence will enable students to embark on their reading journey…
Consonant Blends are two or more consonants that are next to each other. Consonant blends are not separated by a vowel. There are a few facts that you should know before teaching blends to your readers: Consonant blends can be found at the beginning or end of a syllable. Many (not all) beginning blends are…
Before you can teach about a closed syllable exception, you first must understand what a closed syllable is. To learn about the closed syllable click here. A closed syllable exception is a syllable that contains one vowel, followed by one or more consonants. However, rather than a short vowel sound, the closed syllable exception has…
Explicit and systematic instruction in the reading and spelling of words with suffix -s and -es is the most effective way to ensure that students become skilled decoders. When should suffix -s and -es be introduced?