Closed Syllables Phonics Practice for Readers

Closed syllables are one of the first types of syllables kids learn to read. However, if a child doesn't understand phonics, they may struggle to spell the same words they can easily read. Phonics is a powerful tool for teaching spelling and reading.

The following worksheets on closed syllables can help students learn to read, but they will need adult assistance. Readers can use the closed syllable worksheets to understand the rules of closed syllables and improve their spelling.

The first page of the worksheets goes over long and short vowel sounds. Since closed syllables only have short vowel sounds, students need to recognize the short vowel sounds in words.

The second page outlines the general rules for closed syllables: a vowel that makes its short sound and ends in a consonant.

The third page has students add vowels to complete closed syllables and then identify the resulting words as real or nonsense.

On the fourth page of the worksheets, students match nonsense words to make real two-syllable words.

The fifth page explicitly teaches the difference between blends and digraphs. Students color blends blue and digraphs red.

The sixth page has students use sound boxes to represent the sounds in closed-syllable words. The letters in blends have separate boxes, and the letters in digraphs stay together in one box.

Finally, the seventh page explicitly teaches the floss rule and has students write words in sound boxes.

Each of these activities is designed to help students pay attention to how the sounds in words are represented with letters. This is a great independent activity for your second and third-grade readers, especially those who struggle with spelling.

You can have these closed syllable worksheets for free! I hope they are helpful in your classroom!

If you like these closed syllable worksheets, you should check out my other phonics resources!