Understanding Open Syllables: Teaching Strategies and Examples for Young Readers
In the journey through the six syllable types, today we focus on open syllables. An open syllable ends with a single vowel, which results in the vowel producing its long sound. For example, in words like she, we, and go, the vowels at the end of these syllables create distinct long sounds.
You can also find open syllables in multisyllabic words such as over and tiger. Here, the ‘o’ in over and the ‘i’ in tiger are open syllables, allowing the vowels to sound long due to their position in the word.
What are Open Syllables?
An open syllable is defined as one that ends with a vowel. This placement causes the vowel to pronounce its long sound. When students learn to decode words, they often struggle with vowel sounds, as they can be unpredictable. For instance, while consonants like ‘f’ consistently make the /f/ sound, vowels such as ‘e’ can produce various sounds depending on their context.
Understanding syllable types and division patterns can empower students to make strategic choices about vowel sounds, enhancing their reading skills.
Identifying Open Syllables in Words
Open syllables can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of words. Take the word rodeo as an example—it contains three open syllables: rō-dē-ō. Each vowel creates a long sound without relying on vowel teams or silent e.
Here are some additional examples of open syllable words:
- he
- so
- open (first syllable)
- staple (first syllable)
- banjo (last syllable)
- delete (first two syllables)
Steps for Teaching Open Syllables
- First identify and label the vowels
- Build a bridge between the vowels
- Identify and label the consonants between the vowels
- Divide the word according to the syllable division rules to identify the syllable type and to decode the vowel sound
Decoding Vowel-Consonant-Vowel (V-C-V) Combinations
When a multisyllabic word contains a vowel-consonant-vowel (V-C-V) combination, the syllable can be either open or closed.
For instance, with the word robot, students can split the word after the first vowel to create rō-bot, which is a valid word.
Conversely, the word cabin also contains a V-C-V combination, but splitting it as cā-bin does not yield a valid word. Instead, the correct division is căb-in.
Encourage your students to be flexible when dealing with V-C-V combinations, as it is often more likely to form an open syllable. Therefore, trying the open syllable split first can be a helpful strategy.
When to Teach Open and Closed Syllables
Open and closed syllables can be taught as early as late Kindergarten. They are foundational syllable types that empower students to determine vowel sounds in unfamiliar words. When equipped with various decoding strategies, students can significantly improve their reading abilities.
For more detailed strategies on teaching syllables, check out our blog post on Closed Syllables Explained: Teaching Strategies for Early Readers.
