I.2 Listen and spell the multisyllabic words
What are multisyllabic words?
Multisyllabic words are words that contain more than one syllable. A syllable is a unit of sound in a word that has one vowel sound.
- hap-pen (2 syllables)
- in-for-ma-tion (4 syllables)
- cel-e-brate (3 syllables)
Every syllable must have at least one vowel sound. You can often feel syllables by placing your hand under your chin; your chin drops once for each syllable you say.
Strategies for listening to syllables
Careful listening helps you break long words into smaller, manageable parts. This is the first step to spelling them correctly.
- Say the word slowly: "won-der-ful".
- Clap or tap for each vowel sound you hear: "won" (clap) "der" (clap) "ful" (clap).
- Count the claps: three claps means three syllables.
Some vowel sounds are made by vowel teams, like the "ai" in "com-plain". Listen for the vowel sound, not just single letters.
Breaking words into syllables for spelling
After you hear the syllables, you can spell the word by thinking about each part, or syllable, one at a time.
- Listen and break: "un-der-stand"
- Spell the first syllable: un
- Spell the next syllable: der
- Spell the last syllable: stand
- Put the syllables together: understand
Always double-check that you have included every consonant and vowel sound. Writing each syllable on a separate line can be helpful.
Common syllable patterns
Many syllables follow common spelling patterns. Knowing these can help you predict how a syllable is spelled.
- Closed Syllable: A syllable that ends with a consonant (e.g., rab in "rab-bit", mag in "mag-net"). The vowel is usually short.
- Open Syllable: A syllable that ends with a vowel (e.g., ba in "ba-by", mu in "mu-sic"). The vowel is usually long.
- Vowel-Consonant-e: A syllable with a vowel, consonant, and silent e (e.g., cape in "land-scape"). The first vowel is long.
Identifying these patterns within a long word makes spelling easier. Look for these chunks you already know how to spell.
Putting it all together in writing
Use your listening and spelling skills to write clear sentences with multisyllabic words.
- We will celebrate with the community.
- It is your responsibility to finish the assignment.
- The elephant at the enclosure was enormous.
If you are unsure how to spell a long word, say it out loud slowly, break it into syllables, and spell each part. Then read the whole word back to check.