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  3. E: Syllables
  4. E1: Stringing Syllables Together

E1: Stringing Syllables Together

  1. Overview
  2. Materials
  3. Activity
  4. Confidence Builder
  1. Variation
  2. Small Groups
  3. Questions and Answers
Start with Activity E2. See Fast Track for more details.

1. Overview

Hear a word divided into syllables and blend the syllables together into a whole word. Blending together syllables to make a word is called synthesis.
stringing syllables together
aaallliiigaaatooorrr … aalliigaatoorr … ALLIGATOR!
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2. Materials

Print out the picture cards and cut them apart. Place them in a stack, face down. ↑ Top

3. Activity

Tell your child that sometimes, word parts — syllables — can be put together to make a word. Have her listen to the syllables you say and blend them together to make a word.
Video: How to play Stringing Syllables Together
Pick up a picture card, not showing it to your child. Tell her to count the syllables she hears you say. Tell her to count the syllables on her fingers. Then say the word on the card, as drawn-out but still slightly connected syllables (e.g., “aaallliiigaaatooorrr”).
Adult: I’m going to say a word very slowly. You count on your fingers how many syllables there are. Listen: aalll-lliii-gaaa-tor. Again. Listen: aalll-lliii-gaaa-tor. How many parts, or syllables, did you count? Child: Four. Adult: That’s right.
Now she must put the syllables together into a word and say it fast. When she has successfully blended the syllables into a word (spoken at regular speed), show her the picture on the card so she can see that she got it right.
Adult: Try to guess what word I’m saying. Listen: aalll-lliii-gaaa-tor. Again. Listen: aalll-lliii-gaaa-tor. Say it with me, slowly. Get ready! Child: [with Adult] Aalll-lliii-gaaa-tor. Adult: Let’s do it again. Child: [with Adult] Aalll-lliii-gaaa-tor. Adult: Now say the word fast. What’s the word? Child: Alligator! Adult: Good job! [show picture card]
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4. Confidence Builder

At first, you might need to sound out the word slowly multiple times, slightly faster each time, helping your child to gradually blend the sounds together. ↑ Top

5. Variation

Instead of revealing a picture card, you can “reward” your child’s correct answer by the two of you acting it out, e.g., making alligator noises and hand motions. It will be a fun bit of noise and physical activity before moving on to the next word! Also, this activity is easily done without picture cards. Use words of interest to children, such as hamburger, motorcycle, bicycle, superhero, or computer. You can play I Spy (see activity B10: I Spy…A Rhyme), pronouncing the targeted “I Spy” word in syllables. ↑ Top

6. Small Groups (2-5 children)

Lesson Objective: Children will hear a word spoken in elongated syllables, count the syllables and blend them together into a normally spoken word. GELDS (Georgia Early Learning & Development Standards): CLL6.4e Georgia Standards of Excellence: ELAGSEKRF2.b Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.2.B Additional Materials:
  • optional: box, basket, or bag (for Reinforcement activity)
Adaptation: Read the main activity, watch the video, and follow the instructions above, with the following changes: Place the cards in a face-down stack on the table. Let one child at a time choose a card without looking at the picture. You look at the card and say the word very slowly, while the child counts the syllables on his fingers. Then call on another child to say the whole word. Have the group to repeat the whole word. Reinforcement: Place the cards in a box, basket or bag so that the children cannot see them. Let children take turns choosing cards without looking at them. Say the word slowly while all the children count the syllables aloud together. Use this Reinforcement at Home form to tell parents and guardians how they can reinforce lessons outside the classroom. ↑ Top

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