ALL ABOUT SYLLABLES

Learning Outcomes:
- Students will be able to understand what a syllable is.
- Students will be able to decipher how many syllables are in their English names.
- Students will be able to count the number of syllables in different English words and sentences.
Time Frame: 50-60 minutes
Materials:
1. Dry erase board and dry erase markers
2. Paper/notebooks for students to write in (Students should already have a notebook)
3. Overhead Screen/Powerpoint for Listening Discrimination on Syllables (Optional)
(Appendix A for reference)
4. Syllable Worksheet (Appendix B)
5. Syllable Matching Race List and Cut-Outs (Appendix C)

Hook Up/Warm Up: English Alphabet Practice (2-5 minutes)

-

The teacher will review the alphabet with the students in an audio lingual manner, having
students repeat the alphabet sounds after the teacher. The teacher should write each letter
on the board to visually aid the students and to foster association with target alphabetical
sounds and the physical letters.

The teacher should demonstrate correct sounds and aid the weak alphabetical forms that
students are struggling with as a class.

Syllable Introduction: (6-10 minutes)

-

The teacher will introduce the definition of a syllable in such a way that helps students
understand and comprehend what a syllable is.

Students will be given words as a class and will decipher how many syllables are in each
word. (Ex. Friend = 1 syllable . Boyfriend= 2 syllables)

The teacher will ask each student how many syllables are in their name. Students will
respond to how many syllables are in their name. The teacher will correct students
individually or as a class as needed and reinforce any more staple guidelines or
implement more guided practice.

Listening Discrimination on Syllables (10 minutes)

-

The teacher will ask a question without any visual aid, asking the question verbally.

The teacher will prepare two choices of answers, with only one answer being the correct
one. The teacher can prepare the answers by using a powerpoint presentation, overhead
screen, or by simply writing the two or more choices on a white board.

Example: The teacher will ask, What is a hobby? Through the use of some type of
visual aid, there will be two choices, such as SWIMMING and DOG.

After students answer verbally as a class or individually, the teacher will then explain the
correct answer.

The teacher will then ask how many syllables are in each of the two choices. The teacher
will ask, How many syllables are in swimming? Two. How many syllables are in
dog? One.

The teacher should be encouraged to use two choices that have different amounts of
syllables. To extend this activity, more choices greater than two may be given, as well as
increasing the difficulty in the questions being asked.

Refer to Appendix A for a list of questions and answers for this listening discrimination
activity.

Question Response Activity (10 minutes)

-

The teacher will ask each student a question aloud pertaining to daily life, hobbies,
interests, and other activities applicable to the students.

Students will answer the questions aloud individually.

Students will clap out the syllables as they speak. For example, I (clap) am (clap) fine
(clap).

The teacher will correct students as needed, as well as paying attention to grammar and
pronunciation mistakes.

Syllable Worksheet (Controlled Practice) (Appendix B) (10 minutes)

The teacher will hand out the Syllable Worksheet (Appendix A) for students to complete.

The teacher should walk around the classroom and observe students, as well as
explaining the directions of the worksheet beforehand.

As an extended activity, the teacher may review the answers as a classroom if time
permits.

Syllable Matching Race (Guided Practice) (5-10 minutes) (Appendix C)

-

Students should be divided into teams that are equal as possible.

Students will be given a bag of cut-out squares with one word written on each cut-out.

Students should work in their teams and place each word under the correct number of
syllables.

When students are finished, they should notify the teacher. The teacher will then say if
they are WRONG OR RIGHT.

If students are wrong, they must rearrange their words under the syllable numbers and try
again.

If they are right, the team wins!

All teams should have the same cut-outs with the same words.

Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum, in a Dish Game (Communicative Practice)(5 or

more minutes) (Extended activity)
-

Students will sit in desks or stand in a circle.

Students should memorize the song, Bubble gum, bubble gum in a dish. How many
pieces (or bubble gum) do you wish?

For each syllable that is spoken, a finger will be pointed to a student in a clockwise
manner. For instance: Buh (point) bull (point) gum (point), etc.

The student that is pointed to after wish? verbally announces a random number. The
number relates to how many finger pointing there is. The student who gets pointed to
on the students number is out. For example, if a student says the number four, in a
clockwise manner, students count and point one, point two, point three, and
point four.

Play until there is one student remaining! That student is the winner.

The winner should be given some type of reward, whether it be verbal praise or a
physical reward.

APPENDIX A

1.

What will you do with a pear?

A. Eat it.

2.

B. Open it.

Correct Answer: A

What will you do at the fair?

A. Go on rides.

3.

B. A banana

Correct Answer: A

What is on your head?

A. A pair of socks

5.

Correct Answer: A

What is red?
A. An apple.

4.

B. Watch a movie.

B. Hair

C. Clothing

Correct Answer: B

Where is the goat?

A. In the ocean.

B. At the zoo.

C. Driving

Correct Answer: B

6.

Where is the boat?

A. In the ocean.

B. At the zoo.

C. Driving

Answer: A

APPENDIX B

Syllable Worksheet
Name______________________

Correct

DIRECTIONS: Write the number of syllables for each word.

1. _____________ BIRD
2. _____________ICECREAM
3. _____________SCHOOL
4. _____________HOMEWORK
5. _____________APARTMENT
DIRECTIONS: Write the number of syllables for each sentence.

6. _____________ I am very happy today.

7. _____________It is so nice to see you.
8. _____________I want to eat a cheeseburger.
9. _____________I had to go to the hospital.
10.

11.

12.

_____________I can play the violin and piano.

Write down a sentence with 5 or less syllables.

Write down a sentence with 10 or more syllables.

APPENDIX C

1 SYLLABLE

2 SYLLABLES

3 SYLLABLES

4 SYLLABLES

DOG

SUN

TREE

CAT

LIGHT

APPLE

DOLPHIN

FATHER

HOMEWORK

PEOPLE

BANANA

BUTTERLY

ELEPHANT

COMPUTER

ALLIGATOR

HELICOPTER

WINTER

FALL

WATERMELON CATERPILLAR

SUMMER

SPRING

BICYCLE

SPAGHETTI

STRAWBERRY