Write five one-syllable names or nicknames of students in the class such as: Ron, Ann, Bill, Nick and Mike. Ask students how many syllables, or vowel sounds, they hear in each word. Instruct students to clap for the number of syllables they hear.
Write five two-syllables names or nicknames of students in the class. Ask students how many syllables, or vowel sounds, they hear in each name. Instruct students to clap for the number of syllables they hear. Explain that some words may have multiple vowels that, when placed together, only make one sound such as; Joanie. Teach students to listen to the sounds the words make when read.
Break the two-syllable words into sounds sections for the class to read such as: Rob/by, El/ise, Bray/den. Point out that when words have two consonants in the middle, that is often the break point of syllabication.
Provide practice for students to identify syllables. Divide class into partnerships. Give each team of students a short story. Instruct them to clap out the syllables for each word of the story. Monitor students' success.