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Lesson Plan Template

  • Grade

  • Subject

  • Section

First

ELA

Phonological Awareness

  • Competency

Syllables

  • Aligned Standards

Reading: Foundational Skills

  • Strand

RF.1.2

  • Vocabulary

  • Syllable: A part of a word that contains a single vowel sound and is pronounced as a unit.
  • Clap: To strike the palms of the hands together to make a sharp sound, used here as a method to count syllables.

Syllable Symphony

Measure Word Syllables

Prerequisite Skill

None Assigned

Materials and Preparation

  • Flashcards with pictures and words (e.g., apple, banana, butterfly)
  • Audio recordings of sample words
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • TeachTastic Worksheet Pack for Counting Syllables
  • Small mirrors for each student (optional, for visualizing jaw drops)

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define a syllable.
  • Students will be able to count the number of syllables in given words.
  • Students will be able to apply strategies such as clapping or jaw-dropping to determine syllable counts.

Introduction

Start the lesson by explaining that words are made up of different parts called syllables. Use a simple word like "butterfly" to demonstrate. Ask students to listen and clap once for each syllable as you say the word slowly: "but-ter-fly." Show a picture of a butterfly and write the word on the board, emphasizing the three syllables.

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling

Explain that each syllable has one vowel sound. Demonstrate with another word like "banana." Say the word slowly, clapping for each syllable: "ba-na-na." Write the word on the board and underline each syllable. Encourage students to clap along with you.

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Guided Practice

Hand out flashcards with different words and pictures. Ask students to work in pairs, taking turns to say the word and clap for each syllable. Circulate the room to provide support and ensure accuracy. Use the TeachTastic Worksheet Pack for additional practice, where students can draw lines to separate syllables in given words.

Independent Practice

Provide students with a list of words from the TeachTastic Worksheet Pack and have them count and write the number of syllables for each word independently. Words might include "elephant," "caterpillar," "tomato," etc.

Differentiation

Support

  • Use visual aids like mirrors to help students see their jaw drop for each syllable.
  • Provide one-on-one support for students struggling with the concept.
  • Use simpler, shorter words for students who need extra practice.

Extension

  • Challenge advanced students with longer, multi-syllabic words.
  • Encourage students to find and bring in their own words from home to count syllables.
  • Create a syllable sorting activity where students categorize words based on their syllable count.

Assessment

Use the completed TeachTastic worksheets and exit tickets to evaluate student's ability to count syllables accurately. Provide feedback and additional practice as needed.

Review and closing

Summarize the key points of the lesson, reinforcing that syllables are parts of words with one vowel sound each. Ask students to share what they learned and any words they found particularly interesting. Address any remaining questions.

Misconceptions

  • Not all vowel letters create a syllable sound (silent 'e').
  • Every syllable must have a vowel sound.
  • Multi-syllabic words always divide evenly with each vowel (mispronunciation).
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