Syllable Division Rules

As students become aware of the different syllable types, they are also taught how to divide longer words into syllables. 

To divide words into syllables, students can look at the patterns formed by the vowels and consonants in the words.  

To divide a word into syllables:

1) Find the vowels. (Put a dot under each vowel.)

2) Count the consonants in between those vowels. (Draw a line under each consonant.)

3) "Break the word up" according to the rules. (Scoop the syllables under the word.)

• If there are 2 consonants between the vowels, break the word into a syllable between the consonants: VC/CV 
  • gremlin = grem lin
    
• If there is 1 consonant between the vowels: first try dividing the word before the consonant.  If it doesn't sound like a real word, try dividing the word after the consonant:  V/CV  or sometimes VC/V
  • deduct = de duct
  • camel = cam el
    
• If there are 3 consonants, try dividing after the first consonant.  If it doesn't sound like a real word, try after the second consonant.  VC/CCV or sometimes VCC/CV
  
  • mistrust = mis   trust
  • keep the digraphs or blends together

4) Read the word syllable by syllable.