Teaching Closed Syllable Exceptions

Closed Syllables

Before we get into what the exceptions are, it’s important to first know what a closed syllable is. So let’s start with a simple review.

A closed syllable is a word part where the vowel is closed in by one or more consonants, resulting in a short vowel sound. We get the term closed syllable because the vowel is closed in by the consonant(s). Closed syllables are the most common syllable type in English.

📖 Read our post to go in-depth and learn all about closed syllables.

While the patterns that make up closed syllable words are very reliable, there are some exceptions. And that’s why you’re here today!

Unfortunately, there are just a few exceptions to the exception. They include words like cost, lost, frost, and wind (wind with a short i sound).

Why We Teach Closed Syllable Exceptions

1. Teaching this concept prevents confusion. If students are taught that closed syllables will have short vowel sounds, they may make errors when reading or spelling. They may read words like kind as “kĭnd” or spell ‘gold’ as ‘goald.’
2. Builds flexibility: When teaching closed syllable exceptions, kids learn that certain patterns may result in a different vowel sounds. This helps them know that they should be okay with flexing the vowel sound as they decode unknown words.
3. No memorization: Instead of relying on memorizing a list of words for reading and spelling, kids can apply this knowledge that these particular closed syllable word families will have long vowel sounds.
4. Connects phonics and etymology: Kids begin to understand how history impacts our language (both spelling and pronunciation). Some students may actually find this very interesting (keep reading to learn more.)

To summarize, we teach closed syllables so that kids understand more deeply about how our language works and learn to be flexible with certain concepts, such as syllable types and vowel sounds.

Teaching Tips

1. Teach about closed syllable exceptions only after kids understand closed syllables. Don’t introduce them together as this could be quite confusing. Exceptions are generally appropriate to teach when kids are learning about ending blends, floss words, and long vowel sounds (middle to end of first grade.)
   
2. Whenever possible, teach kids that English isn’t random or illogical. When you introduce closed syllable exceptions to students, a brief history lesson may help:
   
   Explain that these words are “fossils” of very old Anglo-Saxon words. Even when pronunciations changed over the past few hundred years, the spellings remained the same. The spellings were etched in stone (aka dictionaries) … just like fossils!
   
3. Use a Memory Hook: My students LOVE a good memory hook to help them remember these concepts. When I introduce students to closed syllable exceptions, I tell them about this one:
   
   “A child will bind an old troll and colt to the post.”
   
   I have students write this in their phonics notebooks and then illustrate it. Some drawings turn out to be quite hilarious (and memorable…which is the whole point!)
   
4. Use explicit teaching and give kids lots of practice applying this knowledge using activities for reading and spelling closed syllable exception words. Keep reading for some helpful ideas.

Activities for Teaching Closed Syllable Exceptions

Below are some research-based activities for teaching closed syllable exceptions.

1. Read decodable sentences and stories that include a lot of these words.
2. Use sound boxes for encoding practice. Dictate word to students and have them practice spelling the long vowel sound with a single vowel letter.
3. Use word ladders to build awareness of these chunks and letter sequences.
4. Use word sorts and games to reinforce the long vowel sounds heard in these words.
5. Use anchor charts for display and to reinforce these concepts.

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