Consonant-le is a final stable syllable that makes the sound of the consonant plus /ul/. (V.b) The e at the end is silent and the vowel is a schwa sound. There are variations in how it can be spelled. A helpful pupil says it is simple: an eagle is a symbol, a squirrel is a mammal.
Try an /ul/ variations online word sort and word search puzzle.
The middle letters of some /ul/ variation words can double. /ul/ variations: mammal, fossil, tunnel, funnel.
Consonant -le is the last syllable type learned about in the sequence followed by the Phonics Pow Toolkit. Learning the different syllable types helps makes sense of the different vowel sounds in the English language. We’ve learned about: Silent e, Bossy R, Diphthongs, Vowel Teams, and Open & Closed Syllables. Now it’s time for a final stable syllable ending, consonant -le.
Consonant -le is an unaccented final syllable that contains a consonant and -le. The e at the end is silent, and creates a new sound: “ul”
The middle consonant doubles when it comes right after a short vowel. Try a rabbit or turtle online word sort. Practice the difference with the cattle or turtle online word sort.
WATCH videos and PLAY games at the Consonant-le Wakelet tutorial
LISTEN and practice at Quizlet
/ul/ variations
There are different spellings for the sound of /ul/. A helpful pupil says it is simple: an eagle is a symbol, a squirrel is a mammal. Try a wordsearch and an online word sort at /ul/ variations.
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Learning about the different syllable types and the vowel sounds they make is an important skill for decoding – translating letters into words. Hearing syllables in words is also a part of phonological awareness, an essential skill for reading.
In the logical sequence followed by the Phonics Pow Toolkit, the first syllable type learned is closed syllables. When a vowel is closed in by at least one consonant, it often is short. Words with a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern like CAT and DOG (known as CVC words) often have a short vowel. An exception can occur in words with i and o followed by two consonants – see Find and lift the lost gold.
The next syllable type to know about is open syllables. When no consonant follows a vowel, the vowel is often long and says it’s name. Some frequently encountered one syllable words with open and long vowels are: he, she, me, we, be, no, so, go.
Syllables are simple, one for every vowel sound, so there are lots of syllables around. Practice with students to hear how many syllables are in a word. Sort animal flashcards into piles by the number of syllables. You can clap or tap, or feel your mouth drop!
Open and Closed Syllables
WATCH:
When a vowel is followed by at least one consonant, it is closed in. It often makes a short sound, as in pin. (the vowel stops short)
A vowel is open with no consonant behind. Open syllables are often long, you will find. (the vowel can go long)
Advanced phonics patterns are more powerful and follow their own guidelines: “car” makes a new sound because of Bossy R, and so does “loud” because the vowel is a Diphthong. “Cake” and “team” both have long vowel sounds because of Silent e and Vowel Teams. WATCH this video from Jessie Ketchum.
WATCH videos and PLAY online games at the Open and Closed Syllable tutorial at Wakelet. Some online games require flash, which is no longer supported after 12/31/2020. Learn more at The End of Flash.
Examples of words with open and closed syllables at sightwordgames.
Open & Closed Vowels in Two Syllable Words
This chart from the Long Vowel Patterns section of the Phonics Pow Toolkit shows some examples of open syllables: a, vacate, he, delete, hi, finite, no, solo, flu, mumu. See the full chart at the post Author Wiley Blevins. Open syllables are found more frequently in words with more than one syllable.
Learn more about open and closed vowels in two syllable words with one middle consonant at Tigers and Robins and Camels, oh my! Learn more about syllable division, and learn more at More Ways Vowels Can Be Long.
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