C Curriculum Explorer
English·Phonics & Word Reading·procedural

Syllables (age 6+)

Decode words of two or more syllables by breaking them into syllable chunks, applying knowledge that every syllable must contain a vowel sound, and blending the parts together

Suggested ages 6–9

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Learning journey

Your child is learning to read more complex words by recognizing different letter patterns for the same sounds and breaking longer words into syllables, while also developing fluency and expression when reading aloud.

Evidence of understanding

  • Read 'rabbit', 'thunder', 'fantastic' by breaking into syllable chunks and blending
  • Clap or tap syllables in a multi-syllable word, then read each chunk before blending
  • Identify that every syllable must contain a vowel sound

Assessment prompt

When Syllables (age 6+) encounters a long word like 'fantastic' or 'umbrella', can they break it into syllables and blend the parts together to read the whole word?

Standards alignment

RF.1.3.dUS · ccss-ela

RF.1.3.d

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 1

RF.1.3.eUS · ccss-ela

RF.1.3.e

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 1

RF.2.3.cUS · ccss-ela

RF.2.3.c

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 2

RF.3.3.cUS · ccss-ela

RF.3.3.c

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 3

Eng/KS1/Y2/WR/3GB · uk-nc-2013

Read multi-syllable words

The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 1