Syllables
Closed syllables
A closed syllable ends in a consonant, which closes the vowel in and makes it short: “cat”, “napkin”, “rabbit”. It is the most common syllable type in English and the first one taught.
Once a reader can spot closed syllables they can break two-syllable words apart reliably, which is the whole basis of decoding longer words.
Patterns and example words
Every word below is from the word list Cody generates from, not a hand-picked sample. The count is how many words in that list carry the pattern.
1 syllable closed
6,980 wordsam is was and of in had has it its him his them not that us on with this did done as at but
2 syllable closed (VCCV)
7,995 wordswilling cannot getting gotten thinking wanted wanting finding findings backing lasted lasting telling calling manning longest problem problems written helping helpings asking talking putting
2 syllable closed (VCV)
3,296 wordscoming backing longest something living began begin begins begun bringing provides second seconds loving result results level leveled levelled levels present presents within process
2 syllable closed (VCCCV)
2,252 wordschildren control controlled controls described improved address addressed simplest function functions contract contracts express expressed central handled handling complex extras sampled sampling samplings software
Curricula that teach this
Cody generates material against the scope and sequence you already teach. This skill appears in Custom Pattern Selection, Reading Simplified: 1st Grade Pathway, Reading Simplified: 2nd Grade & Up Pathway, Reading Simplified: Kindergarten Pathway, Slant System, UFLI Inspired.
Make a decodable story for this skill
Cody generates stories, word lists and worksheets constrained to the patterns a student has already been taught, so practice on closed syllables does not smuggle in something they have not met yet.