Write a difficult word on the board for example
ACCOMMODATION.
Then clap your hands while saying the word. Repeat as necessary.
Then ask them to count the claps in ACCOMMODATION. There are 5 handclaps. Get students to clap and say ACCOMMODATION.
Tell students these handclaps are called SYLLABLES and that every word breaks down into one or more syllables. Briefly practice saying "syllables."
On the board underneath ACCOMMODATION draw 5 medium sized boxes. Put the correct number underneath each box.
Clap and say the first syallable of ACCOMMODATION and ask your students which letters should go in box 1. They should say AC (some might say ACC.)Repeat this process until all of the letters are in the correct boxes. So now you should have
Box1 AC Box2 COM box3 MO Box4 DA Box5 TION
Then choral drill the letters like this.
Teacher: Which letters are in Box1?
Students: AC
Teacher: and in Box2?
Students: COM
Continue this until all 5 boxes (syllables) have been covered.
Then ask a student to give you the contents of BOX1 and 2. Then ask another to give you the contents of box 2 and 3. Then 3 and 4. then 4 and 5.
This gradual building of the word helps them not only to understand the rhythm and concept of syllables, but also helps them to fix the spelling in their minds.
Once they grasp the concept of syllables, Write some 3,2, single syllable words on the board and get the students to work out how many syllables the word has, and then get them to put the letters into the correct boxes
Submitted by Gary Pownall. Greenwich Community College. London. UK