The 6 Syllable Types
Master these patterns and you can decode ANY English word
a = vowel sound
b = consonant
e = silent letter
· = syllable break
① Closed Syllable
CVC pattern — most common in English
Ends in a consonant → the vowel is SHORT (ă, ĕ, ĭ, ŏ, ŭ)
rab·bit
nap·kin
Pattern
VC — consonant "closes" the vowel in💡 Teaching tip
"The consonant door slams shut — the vowel says its short sound"More words
cat, bed, hit, fog, nut, pump·kin, kit·ten② Open Syllable
CV pattern — the vowel is "free"
Ends in a vowel → the vowel is LONG (ā, ē, ī, ō, ū)
ti·ger
mu·sic
Pattern
V — nothing blocks the vowel💡 Teaching tip
"The door is open — the vowel can say its name"More words
go, me, hi, flu, ba·by, po·ny, spi·der③ Silent E (VCe)
Also called "Magic E" or "Bossy E"
Final E is silent, but makes the vowel before it LONG
cake
hope
Pattern
VCe — silent E "reaches over" the consonant💡 Compare
hop /hŏp/ → hope /hōp/ — E changes everything!More words
make, ride, cute, pine, globe, com·pete④ Vowel Team
Two vowels team up to make ONE sound
Two (or more) vowels together → usually the first vowel is LONG
rain
boat
Common teams
ai, ay, ea, ee, oa, oe, ue, ie, oo, ou, ow💡 Saying
"When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking"More words
team, play, boat, sleep, fruit, ex·plain⑤ R-Controlled
Also called "Bossy R" — R steals the vowel's sound
Vowel + R → a new blended sound (ar, er, ir, or, ur)
bird
car
5 Sounds
ar /är/, or /ôr/, er·ir·ur all say /ər/💡 Teaching tip
"R is the bully — it changes the vowel's sound completely"More words
star, fork, her, girl, burn, tur·tle, cor·ner⑥ Consonant + LE
Always the LAST syllable — the E is silent
Final syllable is -ble, -dle, -gle, -ple, -tle, -kle — vowel is silent
ta·ble
ap·ple
How to split
Count back 3 letters from the end: ta | ble, ap | ple💡 Teaching tip
"The E is always silent — you only hear the consonant + /ul/"More words
bub·ble, sim·ple, lit·tle, an·kle, jun·gleUnderstanding 6 Syllable Types
Mastering this phonics pattern is one of the most important steps for young readers.
How to Use This Chart in Your Classroom
- Display it — Print or project this chart as a reference anchor during phonics lessons
- Word Sort — Give students word cards and have them sort by the pattern
- Syllable Detective — Students find examples in their reading books
- Build Fluency — Practice reading the example words, then generate custom worksheets with WordChop
💡 Teaching Tip
The most powerful way to teach this pattern is through explicit instruction. Write examples on the board and have students read them back-to-back. The contrast makes the rule click instantly.