Teaching V/V Words – with Free Printable Word List
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Read all about teaching V/V words, sometimes referred to as “Lion Words.” Learn how to divide these syllables properly for accurate reading and spelling, and get a free printable list with 36 common V/V words!
All About V/V Words
V/V words are multisyllabic words that follow this specific pattern Vowel-Vowel. In V/V words, the vowels that appear next to one another are NOT part of a noticeable vowel team or vowel digraph.
Since they are not together, they must be treated as separate vowels with different vowel sounds.
🦁 Lion (V/V) Words Rule
If the two vowels next to each other are NOT a vowel team or vowel digraph, divide between the two vowels.
For example: Let’s look at the word lion. When you locate the vowels in the word, you’ll notice that ‘io’ is not a recognizable vowel team.
Therefore, the word qualifies as a V/V words and gets divided between the two vowels making it li/on.
The first syllable is open, with the long i sound. The second syllable is closed, with a short o sound.
🤩 Looking for more? Get more detailed information (and more freebies!) about the about the six syllable types and learn all about syllabication.
V/V Words & Examples
We’ve listed 36 common V/V words. In each word, when you divide between the vowels, the first syllable is always open, making the first vowel a long vowel sound.
| fluid | iodine |
| poet | influence |
| chaos | dial |
| truant | stoic |
| fluent | rodeo |
| rearm | eon |
| Romeo | diet |
| giant | ion |
| duo | Leon |
| triumph | Buick |
| react | going |
| violet | meow |
| riot | poem |
| violin | client |
| create | oasis |
| neon | science |
📜 Using the Word List
Using this word list is easy since it requires no-prep. Just print and use! The V/V word list is great for:
- Syllabication practice
- Dictation
- Reading. Kids can read and re-read to work on fluency too!
Students will need lots of practice in order to master this important decoding skill. Learn more about dividing other syllable types and get FREE word lists for targeted practice for:
Related Resources
Our Syllables Types Bundle (above) includes a lot of our popular resources, including:
- Syllable Division Practice Worksheets – 20 worksheets for all syllable types and patterns.
- Syllable Division Rules & Mini-posters
- Open & Closed Syllable Houses
- Syllable Types Anchor Chart + Posters
You can also get these free resources to help equip you as you teach your students a valuable tool for reading and spelling words with accuracy:
- All About Orthographic Mapping
- All About Word Ladders
- Doubling Rule for Spelling
- 128 Schwa Sound Words
Download & Print
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