Multisensory Monday: Syllable Scramble

Students dig syllabication! They’re so relieved to realize there’s a tool to tackle reading the many long, seemingly complicated words they come across in this very irregular English language.

Syllable Scramble is a fun and engaging way for students to practice reading lengthy words containing various syllable types. It can be played in class or in the comfort of their own home during virtual lessons!

The Rules

First, review previously learned syllable types with students. It is helpful to give them a chart outlining the different types they have been introduced to.

The 8 syllable types in English (including examples) are as follows:

• Closed (cat)
• Open (me)
• Magic – E (time)
• Consonant – LE (puzzle)
• Vowel Teams (sail)
• Bossy-R (her)
• Diphthong (gray)
• Schwa (alone)

Next, tell students to “scramble” for long words. Students are to find objects around the house whose name contains two or more syllables. The student that finds words containing the most different syllables types in the allotted time is the winner!

For example,

• Student A found a basketball (3 closed syllables), some twine (1 magic -e), and a table (1 open, 1 consonant-le).

Total: 3 closed, 1 magic-e, 1 open, 1 consonant-le

• Student B found a mailbox (1 vowel team, 1 closed), a bookmark (1 diphthong, 1 bossy r), a cupcake (1 closed, 1 magic-e), a puzzle (1 closed, 1 consonant-le), and a daffodil (2 closed, 1 schwa).

Total: 1 vowel team, 5 closed, 1 diphthong, 1 bossy r, 1 magic-e, 1 consonant -le, 1 schwa

Student B found words containing 7 different syllable types and therefore is the winner! Congratulations Student B!

But wait, there’s more!

After completing the syllable scramble, have each student create a BINGO board including syllables that they found during Syllable Scramble. Jot down each syllable your students found on slips of paper, mix them up, and play! As you call off syllables, students will listen and place a chip on their board if one of their syllables was called.

Enjoy!

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Written by Angelina Spiteri-Bender, CDP

Angelina is an Instructor with Brainspring Educator Academy

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