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Spelling Words with Open Syllables: Long A Sound (/eɪ/)

Teaching students about open syllables with the long A sound (/eɪ/) is a fundamental part of phonics instruction. In these words, a single vowel 'a' appears at the end of a syllable, producing the long A sound as heard in words like "table" and "paper."

Word List

Here's a comprehensive list of common words featuring open syllables with the long A sound:

  • able
  • cable
  • fable
  • table
  • stable
  • cradle
  • maple
  • staple
  • lady
  • shady
  • baby
  • navy
  • gravy
  • lazy
  • crazy
  • later
  • paper
  • baker
  • bacon
  • basic
  • basis
  • label
  • fatal
  • native
  • acre
  • agent

Educational Standards Alignment

These open syllable words align with several Common Core Standards. Specifically, they support:

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.2.D: Generalize learned spelling patterns when writing words
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2.F: Use spelling patterns and generalizations (e.g., word families, position-based spellings, syllable patterns, ending rules, meaningful word parts) in writing words

These standards are particularly relevant because understanding open syllables helps students recognize and apply consistent spelling patterns. When students learn that an open syllable ending in 'a' typically produces the long A sound, they can apply this knowledge to decode unfamiliar words and improve their spelling accuracy.

Teaching Strategies

When teaching these words, focus on helping students identify the syllable boundaries and recognize the pattern of the open syllable. For example, in the word "table," the first syllable "ta-" ends with the letter 'a,' making it an open syllable that produces the long A sound. This pattern remains consistent across all words in this list.

Each word can be broken down into syllables to demonstrate this pattern:

  • ta•ble
  • pa•per
  • ba•sic
  • la•dy

Understanding this pattern helps students both read and spell these words more effectively, as they begin to recognize the relationship between syllable types and vowel sounds.

Practice Activities

These words can be incorporated into various learning activities:

  1. Syllable division practice
  2. Word sorting exercises
  3. Reading comprehension activities
  4. Spelling tests and quizzes
  5. Writing exercises using target words
  6. Word family exploration

Regular practice with these words helps students internalize the open syllable pattern and apply it to their reading and writing.

Create a worksheet using words from this list

Additional Resources

For more practice with open syllables and long A sounds, consider exploring related phonics patterns such as: - Silent E words - Vowel team patterns (ai, ay) - Other open syllable patterns

Remember that mastering these patterns takes time and consistent practice. Regular exposure through reading and writing activities will help reinforce these spelling patterns.