Teaching Consonant-le: Words, Games, & More

Let’s face it, bubbles are fun for kids of all ages! Who doesn’t love the changing iridescent colors of bubbles floating in the air, or watching them fuse together when they collide? Bubbles are an excellent tool for multisensory learning. Aside from their scientific properties, their very name coincides nicely with learning consonant-le (c-le) endings.

What is a Consonant-Le ending?

To put it simply, consonant-le endings are syllables with a consonant before the “le.”

Examples: -ble, -cle, -dle, -fle, -gle, -kle, -ple, -tle, -zle

Different Types of -le Endings

To fully understand the consonant-le ending, it’s important to understand the three different types of endings:

C-le in closed syllable words (short vowel sounds) These words have first syllables that end with a different consonant sound than the c-le endings. 

• Examples: bundle, simple, twinkle, rumble, rectangle, example

C-le in open syllable words (long vowel sounds) These words contain first syllables that end in a vowel.  

• Examples: noble, rifle, table, bugle, cradle, title

C-le with double letter words (short vowel sounds) These words have first syllables that end with the same sound that the c-le syllable starts with. 

• Examples: middle, cripple, frazzle, juggle, battle, huddle.

Why is it Important to Learn the -le Concept?

Understanding consonant-le endings is a key skill in developing spelling accuracy. These syllables are consistent in their structure, which makes them easier for students to decode and spell. By learning this rule, students can break down words into manageable parts and simplify the process of reading multisyllabic words. 

For example, a word like rectangle can seem overwhelming at first glance, but recognizing the consonant-le ending helps students divide it into rec/tan/gle. This helps them focus on one syllable at a time, which makes it less intimidating to pronounce and spell. 

This understanding also supports students as they come across new words, giving them the strategies they need to decode unfamiliar words confidently.

Consonant -le Bubble Pop Games

The following are different multisensory activities using bubbles to put a fun and engaging twist on learning the consonant-le rule for students:

1. Blow Bubbles for Words Ending in C-le

Prepare a list of words, some with c-le endings and some without. 

Dictate a word, have the child repeat the word and then blow a bubble only when hearing and saying words with c-le endings.

2. Bubble Pop

Follow the same process as the previous activity but instruct students to “pop” bubbles when hearing spoken words that do not follow the c-le pattern. 

You could have a team of bubble blowers and bubble poppers or use a bubble machine.

3. Catching Bubbles

Use a bubble machine and have children catch bubbles when hearing words with c-le endings. 

Once all c-le syllable types have been taught, have them catch only open syllable words, such as “table”.

4. Double Bubble Riddles

Have students answer riddles and try to catch a double bubble on their bubble wand. 

For example, “I end with the syllable /ble/ and am the noise a turkey makes. What am I?” (Gobble)

“I end with the syllable /gle/ and am another word for laughter. What am I?” (Giggle)

5. Glowing Bubbles

Make your own bubbles with children and create three different colors to coincide with c-le syllable types. They can even paint with these bubbles and spell their c-le words on the paper once it dries. 

Bubbles can also be placed between two sheets of paper to create some interesting effects.

Recipe:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 tsp of dish soap
• 1 squirt of glow-in-the dark or fluorescent paint

You will also need bowls, spoons, and paper

Consonant -le Words

Here are some additional examples of c-le words to get you started on one of the bubble activities listed above:

C-le in Closed Syllable Words (Short Vowel Sounds)

• Bubble 
• Bundle 
• Rumble 
• Rectangle 
• Example

C-le in Open Syllable Words (Long Vowel Sounds

• Noble 
• Rifle 
• Title 
• Bugle 
• Cradle

C-le in Double Letter Words (Short Vowel Sounds)

• Middle 
• Giggle 
• Frazzle 
• Battle 
• Juggle

Written by Julie Palermo,

Julie is a tutor at our Clarkston Learning Center and former Kindergarten teacher.