The Six Syllable Types
Closed
A Closed syllable ends in a consonant. The vowel has a short First taught
vowel sound, as in the word bat. On the syllable tag, the closed in Level 1
door represents a closed syllable because the consonant “closes in” Lesson 48
the vowel.
Open
An Open syllable ends in a vowel. The vowel has a long vowel First taught
sound, as in the first syllable of apron. On the syllable tag, the open in Level 1
door represents an open syllable. In an open syllable, there is noth- Lesson 48
ing after the vowel. The vowel is “open.”
Name Game
A Name Game, or VCE, syllable is typically found at the end of a
word. The final e is silent and makes the previous vowel long, as in First taught
the word name. On the syllable tag, the vowel and Silent E are at a in Level 2
party. Silent E asks the vowel what its name is, and the vowel says Lesson 15
its name.
Vowel Team
A Vowel Team syllable has two vowels next to each other that to-
First taught
gether say a new sound, as in the word south. On the syllable tag,
in Level 2
the team of horses represents a Vowel Team syllable. Just as a team
Lesson 25
of horses works together, vowel teams work together to make one
sound.
Bossy R
A Bossy R syllable contains a vowel followed by the letter r. The r
First taught
r
controls the vowel and changes the way it is pronounced, as in the
in Level 2
word car. On the syllable tag, the r looks bossy and is making all the
Lesson 31
vowels follow him. The r is a strong letter that controls the vowel
sounds.
Pickle
First taught
A Pickle syllable contains three letters: Consonant + l + e. Examples
in Level 3
include the second syllable in the words handle, puzzle, and middle.
Lessons
The second syllable in the word pickle is a memorable example of this
8 and 10
syllable type.
