Glossary · Syllables and longer words
What is a VCV pattern?
Definition
The VCV pattern is a vowel, one consonant and a vowel, as in robot or cabin; try splitting before the consonant first, then after it if needed.
Splitting before the consonant (ro-bot) makes the first syllable open, so the vowel is long. That works for most VCV words, more often than not. If the result isn't a real word, split after the consonant (cab-in): the first syllable is closed and the vowel is short.
This is where flexing earns its place. The student tries one split, listens, and switches if needed. A student who asks “Is ca-bin a word I know?” and switches to cab-in is reading exactly the way skilled readers do.
Vocabulary helps. A student can only flex to the right answer if they know the word when they hear it.
In a lesson
Write lemon. The student tries le-mon with a long e, hears that it isn't a word, then tries lem-on with a short e. “Lemon. That's it.”
Examples
Each word with its spelling units, one per sound.
- lemonl·e·m·o·n
- hotelh·o·t·e·l
- silents·i·l·e·n·t
- habith·a·b·i·t
- basicb·a·s·i·c
Words come from our lexicon, checked against a pronouncing dictionary. Words a student sees in our assessments are left out.
Why does this matter for the record?
Note whether the student flexes on their own or waits for a prompt. That shift to independence is the real milestone.
Rate each skill as you teach it
Needs support, Developing, Secure. The rating schedules the review and builds the report.