Study guide: Syllables, Endings and Careful Reading
Apply divide a two-syllable word, read an inflectional ending, check a tricky high-frequency word, read with the sentence meaning using supplied texts and original responses.
Ideas to explain in your own words
- Each spoken syllable has a vowel sound. Some syllables end in a consonant and have a short vowel; an open syllable can have a long vowel.
- An inflectional ending changes a word for number or time without creating a completely unrelated base. Walks, walked and walking keep the idea walk.
- Some common words contain a sound-spelling part that does not match the regular pattern just learned. Notice that part rather than guessing from the first letter.
- An ending period closes a statement, a question mark closes a question, and an exclamation mark can show strong feeling. If a draft lacks an ending mark, that omission alone does not mean the sentence should continue; inspect the intended sentence and supply the appropriate mark.
Useful vocabulary
- Divide a two-syllable word
- Each spoken syllable has a vowel sound. Some syllables end in a consonant and have a short vowel; an open syllable can have a long vowel.
- Read an inflectional ending
- An inflectional ending changes a word for number or time without creating a completely unrelated base. Walks, walked and walking keep the idea walk.
- Check a tricky high-frequency word
- Some common words contain a sound-spelling part that does not match the regular pattern just learned. Notice that part rather than guessing from the first letter.
- Read with the sentence meaning
- An ending period closes a statement, a question mark closes a question, and an exclamation mark can show strong feeling. If a draft lacks an ending mark, that omission alone does not mean the sentence should continue; inspect the intended sentence and supply the appropriate mark.
Watch your reasoning
- Do not divide every pair of letters.
- Do not always pronounce -ed as /ed/.
- A familiar-looking word still needs to match the letters.
- Do not race through words you have not decoded.
A worked review example
Word: sunset. Base walk in walks. Tricky word: said. Sentence: I can walk. Divide a two-syllable word: The relevant input states: Word: sunset. This fits sun/set. Each spoken syllable has a vowel sound. Some syllables end in a consonant and have a short vowel; an open syllable can have a long vowel. Do not divide every pair of letters. Read an inflectional ending: The relevant input states: Base walk in walks. This fits -s. An inflectional ending changes a word for number or time without creating a completely unrelated base. Walks, walked and walking keep the idea walk. Do not always pronounce -ed as /ed/. Check a tricky high-frequency word: The relevant input states: Tricky word: said. This fits said. Some common words contain a sound-spelling part that does not match the regular pattern just learned. Notice that part rather than guessing from the first letter. A familiar-looking word still needs to match the letters. Read with the sentence meaning: The relevant input states: Sentence: I can walk. This fits finish a statement. An ending period closes a statement, a question mark closes a question, and an exclamation mark can show strong feeling. If a draft lacks an ending mark, that omission alone does not mean the sentence should continue; inspect the intended sentence and supply the appropriate mark. Do not race through words you have not decoded.
Make a practice plan
- Practice divide a two-syllable word: Say the complete word, mark the vowel sounds and try the indicated division. Blend the two spoken parts back into a word.
- Practice read an inflectional ending: Locate the supplied base word inside the longer word. Read the base and ending together; -ed need not add a whole syllable.
- Practice check a tricky high-frequency word: Read the named word with an adult. Map its regular sounds, mark the unexpected spelling and then read the whole sentence.
- Practice read with the sentence meaning: Read once for accurate words, reread in phrase groups and use the ending mark to decide the voice.
- Try the new review before opening its answer. Return to the related lesson if you want more help.