Intro to Break Into Syllables: Use Phonics and Your Ears to Read and Spell
This is an introductory class for grades 1-3 to experience using sounds, patterns, and syllables to read and spell multisyllabic words. If they like what they see, the main class is offered once a week over 5 weeks.
Miss Sue MA MLIS
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(5)
New on Outschool
What's included
1 live meeting
20 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 1 - 3
Beginner Level
In this short introductory class I will review short vowel sounds using hand movements, and identify syllables by type. We will use post-its to identify sounds (phonemes) in each word and begin a list of sight words. For the complete course, see the class listing for the 5 week course. Students will share at home their one big word. Here’s a structured lesson plan for how I teach a full class how to read multisyllable words, using phonics and syllable breaking techniques: Class Content: Learning to Read Multisyllable Words 1. Introduction (5 minutes) Objective: Explain that students will learn to read longer words by breaking them into smaller parts (syllables). Warm-up Activity: Show a few long words (e.g., elephant, fantastic) and ask students how they would try to read them. 2. Understanding Syllables (10 minutes) Explanation: Teach students that every syllable has one vowel sound, and that longer words are made up of several syllables. Activity: Clap and count syllables in common words (e.g., banana = 3 syllables, computer = 3 syllables). 3. Phonics Review (10 minutes) Explanation: Review common sounds and letter patterns (blends, digraphs, etc.). Activity: Go through words that contain familiar phonics patterns. Practice decoding syllables by sounding out parts. 4. Breaking Words into Syllables (15 minutes) Teach Syllable Types: Open syllables (e.g., "ba-" in "baby"), closed syllables (e.g., "bat"), silent-e syllables (e.g., "cake"), and others. Activity: Use examples (e.g., hap/pen, mag/ic) to teach students to divide words based on vowel and consonant patterns. Practice clapping, tapping, or drawing lines to split words. 5. Recognizing Root Words and Affixes (10 minutes) Explanation: Discuss how recognizing root words and prefixes/suffixes helps break down bigger words (e.g., “unhappy” = “un-” + “happy”). Activity: Provide a list of root words with prefixes/suffixes, and have students underline or circle them. 6. Word Practice (15 minutes) Reading Together: Give a list of multisyllable words and break them down as a class. Partner Activity: Students pair up and practice reading and spelling longer words, breaking them down into syllables. 7. Word Game (10 minutes) Syllable Scramble: Provide students with jumbled syllables to form real words (e.g., “ter,” “com,” “pu” for “computer”). Challenge: See who can put together the most words by breaking down syllables. 8. Conclusion and Review (5 minutes) Wrap-up: Recap the steps for breaking down multisyllable words. Homework: Assign a short list of multisyllable words for practice at home, breaking them into syllables and identifying the root words. This lesson covers essential reading strategies using phonics and syllable division, with interactive practice and fun activities.
Learning Goals
Say aloud the short vowels with their hand movementsIdentify syllables and the 6 syllable types
Other Details
Learning Needs
I am a reading coach with 5 years of one-to-one tutoring of struggling readers with and without a dyslexia diagnosis. My classes accommodate ADHD students with slides and quick pace. The science of reading is my foundation.
Supply List
Bring post-it notes. Thanks.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2024
5.0
5reviews
New on Outschool
Teacher expertise and credentials
Washington Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
3 Degrees
Master's Degree in Information Technology from University of Washington
Master's Degree in Theatre Arts from University of Washington
Bachelor's Degree in Education from University of Washington
I am a veteran teacher and school librarian with 40 years of teaching in public schools. I have my own tutoring business and tutor homeschool families and private school students. K-12 certificated in the state of Washington, with hours of learning the Science of Reading and delivering it to students, I will be able to help your student ditch the misery of reading and spelling big words.
Testimonials:
Excellent tutor! So thankful for how Sue educates and the breadth of material she covers. Above and beyond!! Parent of 5th grade girl at Cincinnati Country Day creative writing and drama.
Fabulous, thoughtful, insightful tutor! Same parent of 8th grade brother at Cincinnati Country Day receiving enrichment ELA tutoring focusing on literature and academic writing.
Sue, thank you so much for your time and for sharing your expertise with our team and students! I appreciate your dedication towards finding the strengths and motivations for each of our students. Teacher at the Seattle Children's Hospital School.
Ms. Sue is a very helpful tutor. She helped me pull up my grades. When we started a year ago I was below average. Now I am advanced. My reading scores went up. I have more confidence. She helped me become a better writer. It was fun to read play scripts with Roderick. She also taught me better coping skills. I don’t burst out crying now. I don’t always think I’m gonna fail stuff anymore. Without her I don’t think I would have made it to where I am now. I’m ready for middle school. Most definitely ask if Ms. Sue can help your kid.
5th grader from Washington D.C. (note: This student’s scores on “The Reading Inventory” given by her school 8/31/22 and 1/18/23 went from Lexile 788 to 1162; Percentile Rank 47 to 95; NCE (normal curve equivalent) 48 to 85; and Stanine 5 to 8.
Ms. Sue is kind and loving and smart. I could hardly read in 2nd grade and I just took the STAAR Reading and felt confident. I feel fine to read out loud in class. I’m sure you will like Ms. Sue as much as I do. She is forgetful sometimes and that makes her cool and so fun.
4th grader from Texas who I have worked with for two years on word recognition using explicit, systematic instruction in phonics, spelling and sight recognition; and teaching language comprehension including background knowledge, vocabulary, grammar and syntax, verbal reasoning, and reading fluency.
I highly recommend Ms. Sue as a tutor. Her exceptional skills and experience in test preparation helped my son improve his SSAT score from 1490 to 1941 in just five months. Ms. Sue's dedication and ability to create an engaging learning environment have made a significant impact on my son's academic progress. With Ms. Sue's help, my son was able to get into his preferred school, which speaks to her effectiveness as a tutor. I strongly recommend Ms. Sue's tutoring services to anyone looking for academic support that can make a significant impact on their child's educational journey.
Parent of 5th grade male SSAT Prep student
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Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$10
per classMeets once
20 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-10
2-6 learners per class
