A Multi-Syllable Spelling Routine
In this video, we see a 4th grade student using a multi-syllable spelling protocol with great independence and fluidity. She knows how to identify the syllables in challenging and unfamiliar words, then segment the sounds, and then select a spelling pattern to represent each sound.
Reflecting on this video, I am awestruck by the growth this child has made in a short period of time. The fluidity with which she applies the protocol demonstrates her deepening understanding of the connection between oral language and print. Moreover, her ability to retain 6 syllables in a word shows an explosion of growth since she began just 18 sessions ago.
In terms of my teaching, I reflected on a comment I made about the grapheme <ck> coming to realize that the language I used to discuss this doesn’t fit with the practice of linguistic phonics. I continue to work to omit such automatic responses that come from years of teaching rule-based phonics. This was a great moment to capture and reflect on. In the future, I can mention that as a tendency but not a rule, elsewhere in the instruction. I also noticed the impact of “the point game” as scoring points for choosing bigger, harder words is a great moment to teach the value of perseverance and striving for new heights.



I love the reflections on your teaching- so powerful!!
Excellent - 50 points for the word ‘Encyclopedia’ made me happy! Then she wanted to do a bonus word! I would fly to Colorado to work with you (impressed) if my kid still needed help to learn to read, fortunately we found EBLI ten years ago and our lives changed forever!