83 VCCV Words: 2-Syllable Rabbit Words List

What Are VCCV Words?

VC/CV words are two-syllable words that follow this specific pattern: Vowel-Consonant/Consonant-Vowel. They include two closed syllables and will be broken between the two consonants.

🐇 They are sometimes called Rabbit Words, because the word ‘rabbit’ follows this pattern.

When students can successfully read one-syllable words that include short vowels, digraphs, and blends, they are now ready to read multisyllabic words, and syllabication should now be taught.

This involves breaking longer words down into syllables, or smaller, more manageable parts, for an accurate reading. It’s a key decoding strategy that helps students become effective readers. Use our free vccv syllable division worksheets for practice!

👩‍🏫 Teach and Model

Reading two-syllable words doesn’t have to be scary! I use the term “Rabbit Words” and “VC/CV words” interchangeably. I even put on my bunny ears and write the word ‘rabbit’ on my whiteboard!

I then model how to mark the word to break it apart into two closed syllables (rab+bit) to read the word correctly.

1. Students identify the vowels and mark them with a v.
2. They find the consonants and mark them with a c.
3. “Swoop the syllables” by drawing a curved line under each syllable.
4. Read each syllable out loud, then read the entire word out loud.

List 3: Rabbit Words with Blends

After kids have mastered reading words from List 1-2, teach that some words include MORE than two consonants between the vowels. If this is the case, they may have to look for consonant blends.

These should be treated as one consonant. Blends can be included at the end of the first syllable or at the beginning of the second syllable. Example: dan/druff, Frank/lin

Kids should locate the consonant blend and underline it. This will help them to treat it as one consonant and recognize it as a VC/CV word. This list includes 20 words with blends.

List 4: Compound Rabbit Words

Use this list to teach that closed syllables sometimes create compound words. The list includes 22 compound words.

*Be aware that some words on this list include blends or digraphs, so be sure you choose the words you introduce based on the skills you have taught.

Using the Lists

• For Teacher Use: Use the words from each list to use as examples when teaching and modeling syllabication. The lists have been intentionally organized according to difficulty and skill.
• For Student Use: Use a document camera and model marking and reading the words in the first column during guided practice.
  Provide kids with their own copies so they can follow along with you during this ‘We Do’ section of your lesson. Then, students should finish the worksheet as the “I Do” portion of the lesson, marking and reading the words in the second column.
  Staple these lists in the student’s phonics notebooks for practice and review reading.