Phonics Lesson 67b Closed/Closed Syllable Words: Jan 12-16 (Reading Practice Book)

Phonics Lessons - Jan 12-16

Lesson 67b: Closed/Closed Two Syllable Words 

We have been learning about closed syllables. Closed syllables have only one vowel and the vowel is followed by one or more consonants. In a closed syllable, the vowel sound is short. Hop, kick, and fast are all closed syllables. They have one vowel followed by at least one consonant and the vowel makes a short vowel sound. 

We can combine two closed syllables to make longer words. We have learned about compound words that are made up of two smaller words, like the word sunset. This week we have been learning about longer words that have two closed syllables that are not compound words. An example is dentist. The first syllable is closed - den. The second syllable is also closed - tist. If you put them together you get dentist.

Sometimes, when we read two-syllable words we hear the schwa sound. A schwa sound can make a sound that doesn't match how it is really to sound. We learned how e can be pronounced as a schwa in words that end with -es or -ed. The e makes the short i sound like in lunches or ended. The schwa can actually be made by any vowel (a, e, i, o, u and even y). 

In many two-syllable words, one syllable is stressed or emphasized more than the other. This means that we say it a little bit louder and hold it out just a little bit longer. For example, in the word about, the syllable -bout is louder and longer. The other syllable is pronounced as a schwa for some dialects. The a doesn't represent it's normal short or long sound but makes an short u sound. This is what a schwa sound is. We say the schwa sound more quickly.  

In this week's text called, The Rocket Contest, students are looking for words that have two closed syllables that are not smaller words in the longer words to highlight. They are looking to highlight the whole word. Students are also looking to illustrate the story to demonstrate their understanding of the text.

Heart (Irregular) Words of the Week

Heart words are words that do not decode or follow the spelling rules that we have been learning. We have to know them by 'heart'. However, once we learn more spelling rules, they may be only temporary heart words and the rules will come along later! In the meantime, we have been focusing on reviewing and learning the words below with focused in class practice. These will eventually (if not already) be on spelling word lists or word rings. 

This week we are reviewing:

• many
• any
• been
• into
• friend
• because

Just review words this week! 

Fluency Grids
With each lesson, there is a fluency grid with the lesson focus that is intended to help students recognize the phonics rule and assist in reading it with accuracy and automaticity. At home, challenge your young reader to read the word (aim is to decode/read each word within 3 seconds) and then recall it each time they see it within the grid of mixed up, repeated words. A couple minutes of practice is all they need. This acts as a warm up before reading the text that also applies the same skill while building on all the previous skills as well. Each week we are building on the previous week to become more fluent readers so we can focus on what the text is sharing rather than spending all the time decoding the words.

Homework Reminders
Students have been working on the story in their Reading Practice book that will come home each weekend. At school, they work with a partner to complete their fluency grid, read with someone their story and highlight the focus words. Following, they are illustrating a picture for the text to show their understanding. At home, students are to finish the above tasks and read to an expert the week's lesson(s). After completing, parents are to initial at the indicated spot at the top. This week, we are have completed one lesson so there will be one story to complete in their white Reading Practice booklet. Please see the information letter in the front of the book for more, detailed information about this weekend practice book coming home. Please return on Monday (or Tuesday if there is a no school day on Monday).

Happy reading!