Unit Overview

Unit 1 covers one of the six syllable types, the closed syllable.

Here's what to expect from Unit 1:

*Words have parts that go together called syllables and there are six kinds of syllables.

cat= one syllable catnip= two syllables

*A closed syllable has:
~one vowel
~the vowel must be closed in by at least one consonant
~the vowel says it's short sound (a as in apple)

*Examples: bat, scrap, blend, trust, cub, crust, wax, witch, west, whip


*Reviewing the /k/ sound

-There are three ways to spell /k/. With the letter c, the letter k, or the letters together ck.
-The letters ck together are used at the end of a word directly after a short vowel.

For example: sock

-The letter k is used at the end of a word, directly after a consonant.

For example: milk

-The letter c is usually found at the beginning of a word.

For example: can


*Reviewing the /ch/ sound

-There are two ways to spell the /ch/ sound. With tch and with ch.

-If the /ch/ sound comes directly after a vowel at the end of the word, use tch.

Example: catch

-If the /ch/ sound comes directly after a consonant at the end of a word, use ch.

Example: bench

Glued Sounds
-These sounds are taught as if they were glued together to make words easier to read and spell.

all, an, am, ang, ing, ong, ung, ank, ink, unk, onk

W and Qu Change the Sound of A!!
-The sound that a makes in a word, changed when it is after a w or qu. Rather than saying /a/ as in apple, it changes to /o/ as in octapus!

Example: wash

Closed Syllable Exceptions
-Close syllable expections follow a similar pattern to closed syllables, but have a long vowel sound (a as in safe) instead of the expected short vowel sound (a as in apple). These exceptions are: ild, ind, old, olt, and ost.

Example: post

*See the Videos Portion for a video on how to mark up closed syllable words.
** See Resources for printable posters and word lists.