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Syllables are the building blocks of words. Learning the difference between open and closed syllables helps students understand how words are constructed and how vowels make different sounds. We’re explaining the difference between an open syllable and a closed syllable and sharing some open and closed syllable words. Plus, how movement-based learning strategies can help your students understand closed and open syllables.
There are six primary types of syllables – the most common of which are open and closed syllables. Students develop essential spelling, reading, and pronunciation skills as they learn about the differences between these types. They can learn to predict the sound of vowels and practice breaking larger words into more manageable pieces. Doing so helps them decode words, making reading and writing more rewarding.
Considering the science of reading, students who understand the difference between these syllable types develop stronger phonemic awareness, phonics recognition, and fluency skills.
To differentiate between kinds of syllables, students first need to understand what a syllable is. Here is a quick definition: Syllables are parts of words that contain at least one vowel sound.
One-syllable words: tell, cat, horse
Two-syllable words: rab/bit, sun/shine, poo/dle
Three-syllable words: po/ta/to, but/ter/fly, cal/en/dar
To discover how many syllables a word contains, have students clap the word as they say it. Singing a word can also help them identify how many beats (i.e., syllables) are in a word.
Another multisensory way to divide a word into syllables is to use Math & Movement’s whisper-loud strategy. First, pick a word and determine where the emphasis, or stressed syllable, of the word is. The stressed syllable is typically longer, vocalized louder, and pronounced more clearly. This is the part of the word that you will say loudly. The other parts of the word will be whispered.
For example, consider the word “rabbit”. It has two syllables and the emphasis is on the first syllable. Have students clap and say “rab” loudly, then whisper and say “bit.”
Not only will your students be able to identify syllables quickly, but they will also get some counting practice as they work.
What is an open syllable? An open syllable finishes with a vowel that has a long vowel sound. It is considered open because nothing comes after the vowel.
What is a closed syllable? A closed syllable is a syllable that has a short vowel sound and ends with a consonant. It is considered closed because one or more consonants close it in.
Open syllable examples: he, she, po, flu
Closed syllable examples: at, ful, min, in
Here is a list of open and closed syllables. Plus, an example word with the syllable in it. Please note that this is by no means an all-inclusive list.
Here are 20 examples of open syllable words and 20 examples of closed syllable words.
Here is a list of 20 words with one open and one closed syllable. See if your students can figure out which syllable is open and which is closed!
When teaching syllables, educators can use specific strategies to engage all types of learners – visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. The goal is for students to see, hear, and experience the different kinds of syllables.
Getting younger students to sit still for a literacy lesson can be challenging. Math & Movement harnesses a child’s natural inclination for activity and turns it into enthusiasm for learning new literacy skills. Our kinesthetic education products – including heavy-duty floor mats – encourage students to move around in a productive manner that allows them to learn effectively.
Physical activity increases oxygen levels in the blood and blood flow to the brain. As a result, the brain gets more oxygen and can function at optimal levels for learning. Additionally, while the body is moving around, the brain produces a protein called BDNF, which improves the function of neurons and encourages their growth. Movement-based teaching strategies can really make a difference in learning outcomes!
Math & Movement mats bring a multisensory approach to teaching and practicing syllables. Our mats act as a large visual aid. Students see the word or letter they’re practicing, hear themselves and others say it, jump, and play on the mat while they are learning. Below is a list of open and closed syllable activities that will bring energy to your classroom!
The first step in teaching open and closed syllables is ensuring students know the difference between vowels and consonants. Our Alphabet Hop mat depicts
Have students jump on the Alphabet Hop mat a few times while saying each letter aloud. Point out which ones are consonants and which are vowels. Then, ask students to mark every vowel – with a bean bag, post-it note, or other object on the mat. Next, have them jump down the mat only on the consonants, skipping all the vowels. Finally, jump on all of the vowels, saying them aloud.
This floor mat comes with 11 letter cards and 12 word cards. Students can place letters on the mat to build words. The mat has space beneath the letter cards for students to jump and recite each letter along the mat.
First, do this introductory activity on the mat to show what open and closed syllables are. Ask a student to spell the word “me” on the mat in the first two blocks. Explain that the “e” is saying its name, so it is a long vowel sound. Point out that because there is nothing after this vowel, it is considered open!
Now, ask the student to add a “t” to the end of the word. Say the word aloud together: “met.” Explain that the vowel is closed in by the consonant “t” after it, and it makes a short sound.
Complete this activity with a few examples before moving on to the activities below. Some other ideas for open and closed syllable words on the mat are he-her, be-bed, and she-shed.
Start by asking students to pick three letter cards to make a CVC word on the mat. Have them jump across the bottom of the mat and sound out the word. Ask the students how many syllables the word contains. Check by clapping while saying the word aloud. Then, ask them if the word ends in a consonant or a vowel. Ask what kind of sound the vowel makes when saying this word – long or short.
For instance, spell the word “cat.” “Cat” has one syllable and only takes one clap to say. The word ends in a consonant, and the vowel “a” makes a short sound. Because the syllable has a short vowel sound ending a consonant, it is a closed syllable word.
First, have students make a three-letter word on the mat that does not end in a consonant – for example, “bee.” Have them jump across the bottom of the mat while they sound out the word. Ask how many syllables are in the word. (One.) Check by clapping while saying the word aloud. (“Bee!”) Then, ask if the word ends in a vowel or consonant. (Vowel.) Ask what kind of sound the vowel makes when saying this word – short or long. (Long.) Because the syllable has a long vowel sound and ends in a vowel, it is an open syllable word.
Have students take turns making words on the mat and discovering whether they are open or closed syllables. Continue these two activities until your students understand the difference between open and closed syllables. When they are ready for more advanced words, try the next activity.
This large mat features 100 sight words in a colorful grid! It is a great tool for introducing new words to young readers.
Once students know what makes a syllable open or closed, have them take turns throwing a bean bag onto the 100 Word Hop mat. As they throw, instruct them to say the word aloud, count its syllables, and state whether it contains open or closed syllables.
Make it into a bingo game by having students work as teams; each taking turns to label the syllables in a block on the mat. If they get it correct, a team member stands on the block. When they get five team members standing in a row, they win! Mix up the teams and play again.
Additionally, your class can play Word Twister on the mat. Instruct students to place their right hand on a word with a closed syllable, or their left foot on a word with an open syllable, etc. Mix it up by adding more rules. Have them touch a word with two syllables, a word that starts with s, or a word that rhymes with ball, etc.
Math & Movement offers a collection of 29 mats that list all 220 Dolch sight words in large, kid-friendly text on colorful blocks. Each mat features seven words. The words get progressively more difficult on each of the 29 mats.
Have students jump down each Word Hop mat, counting the syllables of each word and designating them as open or closed syllable words. Challenge them to find a mat with only closed syllables or the one with the most open syllables.
Similar in design to our original 100 Word Hop, this mat features 100 different words that are more challenging than the original!
In multisyllabic words, teach students where one closed syllable ends, and another begins by looking for double consonants. If two consonants are together in the middle of a word and they do not blend together to make a digraph (e.g. sh, ch, th, ng, or gh to name a few), then between them is where to separate the syllables.
Discuss this with your class and bring straws, paper strips, pencils, or another object to use as syllable markers on the mat. Have students search the mat for the word “garden.” Ask if it has the double consonants in the middle, as you discussed. Clap the word together to hear the two syllables. Lay a syllable marker between the “r” and “d” to show where the syllables break. Ask what type of syllables “gar” and “den” are. (Both are closed syllables.)
Continue the activity by having students look for the following words on the mat, add syllable break markers, and label them as closed or open: sister, goodbye, picture, children, squirrel, party, letter, morning, birthday. (For “birthday,” point out that the digraph “th” stays together and is a compound word made of a pair of one-syllable words.)
Download our free worksheets to use during your open and closed syllable lesson. Complete the worksheets while moving around on your Math & Movement literacy mats!
As students grasp the concept of open and closed syllables, their reading comprehension and spelling skills will improve! The exercises we shared will help them come to a better understanding of syllables, and Math & Movement is dedicated to helping every child achieve greater academic success.
For more literacy activities, check out our research-based strategies for teaching sight words.
Syllables are units of sound in a word. They contain at least one vowel sound and may or may not have surrounding consonants. Like beats in a song, consider syllables the beats of a word.
An open syllable ends with a vowel that has a long vowel sound. No consonants come after it.
A closed syllable contains a vowel with a short vowel sound and ends with a consonant.
Open syllables contain a long vowel sound, while closed syllables contain a short vowel sound. Also, open syllables end with a vowel, while closed syllables end with a consonant.
Consider incorporating movement-based strategies into your instruction. Try using Math & Movement’s floor mats that allow students to move around while visualizing and hearing different syllables and words. Physical activity wakes up the brain and allows it to function at optimal levels for learning. Plus, students are more engaged in lessons while moving!
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Teach Syllables with Our Materials
Download our free worksheets to use during your open and closed syllable lesson. Complete the worksheets while moving around on your Math & Movement literacy mats!
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