Focusing on syllables is a crucial part of developing decoding skills which is why I’m so excited to share these printable syllables worksheets for Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade with you. When students struggle with specific syllable types it’s directly connecting to specific phonics patterns. For example if a student cannot decode a closed syllable word, they likely are struggling with the knowledge of a short vowel sound. You’re likely teaching syllables in an explicit manner already, but it’s also important to give students daily practice with reading a variety of syllable words in context.
My syllables worksheets for kindergarten students, first graders, and second graders includes different activities to help readers build their decoding skills in a fun way. Students are super engaged with the word work focus on each syllables worksheet as well as during the reading of the passage and responding to comprehension questions. Read on to check out the printable activity that will be powerful tools for developing strong decoding and comprehension skills in your classroom.
The Importance of Focusing on Syllables
Focusing on syllables is an important part of developing literacy skills. You probably have some students who are having a tough time decoding words, in and out of context. When you focus on syllable division rules, students start to gain an understanding of how words are broken down, which leads to improved decoding.
You also probably have students who are successfully decoding words when doing word work activities. However, when those same students go to read a sentence or text, they suddenly struggle with putting the words together. The concept of seeing words in context can overwhelm students.
One way for them to get better at this, is through repeated practice. Giving students daily opportunities to apply their knowledge of letter sounds in words, in context, is crucial to the development of their reading skills. This can be easier said than done…finding the best texts for each of your readers can be such a challenge. However, I’ve got a super simple way for you to easily differentiate and meet your students where they’re at, right now. My decodable K-2 reading syllable types passages are ready for you to just print and use with your readers. These syllables worksheets for kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade include an added word work focus and comprehension questions, you’ll be covering your bases when it comes to meaningful reading instruction. By identifying the syllable types present in a word, readers will become more capable at reading all kinds of words. Focusing on syllable division rules can lead to more proficient readers.
Syllables Worksheets
These syllables worksheets for kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade are great to use as a review syllable types, while readers practice decoding words. Each phonics based reading passage includes specific focus words with different syllable types, as well as a follow up page with word work and comprehension questions. Aligned to the Science of Reading, students will focus on decoding words for the six syllable types.
These passages each include a specific syllable type focus. The syllables worksheets for kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade will give your readers a chance to practice decoding words of different syllable types, in context. The follow up word work activities gives readers another opportunity to show their ability to read words of different syllable types. Comprehension questions are included to help you see that students are not only decoding what they’re reading but also understanding what they’re reading. I also included syllable types reference guides for students to refer to when working on these passages.You’ll also see answer keys with the syllable type focus words for each passage as well as an answer key for the comprehension questions!
While in Kindergarten you’re primarily focusing on getting your readers to decode CVC words (closed syllables), as you move up to 1st grade, you’re focusing on nearly all six types, and in 2nd grade, you’ve likely introduced all six syllable types. That’s how I’ve broken down these syllable types passages as well.
- The Kinder set focuses primarily on decodable CVC closed syllable words with bonus open syllable words passages.
- The 1st grade set focuses on: closed, open, magic e (VCe), vowel teams, and r-controlled vowels (-ar, -or) syllables.
- The 2nd grade set focuses on all six syllable types: closed, open, magic e (VCe), vowel teams, r-controlled vowels, and consonant + le.
Why do you need these syllables worksheets for Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade?
- To review syllable types.
- To help students practice decoding words, in context.
- To help students identify words of each syllable type.
- To help students read passages of each syllable type.
- To help students respond to comprehension questions.
- To build readers’ confidence.
In each grade level set, you’ll find:
- One full page of each passage, with phonics focused word work and 2-3 comprehension questions.
- Lists of specific syllable type focus words for the word work portion of each passage.
- Answer key for comprehension questions
- Syllable Types reference guides
So, if your young learners are in need of additional practice with syllable types, these syllable activity sheets are an effective way to improve decoding a variety of syllable types. The different types of syllables included in this resource are:
- closed syllables (short vowel sound)
- open syllables (long vowel sound)
- magic e (VCe) syllables
- vowel team syllables
- r-controlled vowel syllables
- consonant + le syllables
The different worksheets focus on specific syllable types, but the format remains the same for your kindergarten students, 1st grade, and 2nd grade readers. Your young learners will follow the same steps for each syllable interactive worksheets.
- Students will read the passage, using their decoding skills.
- Students will circle words that fit the specific syllable type, listed as the focus.
- Students will write down multiple words that fit each syllable type. They will then label or underline the matching syllables to identify the syllable parts.
- Students will respond to the comprehension questions.
These passages are intended to be a review of syllable types. Students using these passages should have been previously introduced to all six syllable types. With the wide range of our printable worksheets, this bundle works well for: Kindergarten students, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade. These syllable type phonics based decodable reading passages work great in small groups, whole group, in a literacy center, one-on-one or sent home for extra help. If you have students who need to review decoding words with various syllable types, this is a great way to practice. The goal of these syllables worksheets for kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade is to assist readers in practicing their decoding abilities and build their confidence in reading words with specific syllable types. You can easily add these into your weekly lesson plans since it’ll be simple to differentiate and meet students where they’re at with regard to the concept of syllables.
If you have students all across the board, check out my Kindergarten-5th Grade Bundle of Syllables Passages!
Free Resources to Identify What Students Know
Grab my free phonics quick checks here as a place to get started with decoding assessments. These free resources are a perfect for classroom use as a way to identify where students are specifically struggling when it comes to phonics patterns, which in turn tells you about their understanding of syllables.
You can also read more about these free phonics quick checks so you understand exactly how to use them and their benefit!
