profile

Orton Gillingham For All

Open or Closed? Dividing VCV Words

Published 6 months ago • 1 min read

Hello!

VCV syllable division is one of those concepts that can make even experienced teachers pause.

With VCCV, we divide between the two consonants and move on.

With VCV… we can’t.

There’s only one consonant between the vowels, so we have to test the word and decide: is the first syllable open (long vowel)? Or closed (short vowel)?

In many Orton-Gillingham settings, these are called Tiger and Camel words. Other programs simply refer to them as open-first or closed-first syllable patterns. The terminology may differ, but the thinking process is the same.

And here’s what often gets overlooked:

Testing VCV words only works if a student has enough vocabulary to recognize what sounds right.

If a student hasn’t heard the word before, testing can feel like guessing. That’s why we introduce these patterns and build toward them in the scope and sequence.

In the article, I walk through:
• The difference between open-first and closed-first division
• When to introduce Tiger vs. Camel patterns
• How to guide students through testing words step-by-step
• Why vocabulary plays such an important role

If VCV has ever felt a little “fuzzy,” this will bring clarity. There's a video too!

Read the full article here.

And if you’d prefer structured lessons already mapped out, VCV syllable division is included inside Scope and Sequence Workbook 2, with cumulative practice built in.

You don’t have to piece it together on your own.

Warmly,
Jennifer

P.S. If one of my resources has made your teaching a little easier or clearer, I’d truly appreciate a short review on the product page. It helps other educators know what to expect, and it means a lot to me. Browse your purchases here: www.ogforall.com/shop​

Simple rules. Serious results. That’s OG.

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Orton Gillingham For All

Structured literacy tools for tutors, teachers, and families everywhere.

OGforALL helps tutors, teachers, home school teachers and parents, and parents whose kids are being taught the English language using phonics to better support their students.

Read more from Orton Gillingham For All

What if a student knows the patterns or rules you've taught, but still stumbles during reading or when trying to use the words in context? Would you slow down and work toward automaticity with those earlier concepts, or keep moving through your scope and sequence while working on fluency along the way? I think there's room for both. I'd probably slow down a little, but I wouldn't necessarily stop moving forward. First, I'd want to know: Does the student really know the rule and apply it to...

12 days ago • 2 min read
Summer Reading and Spelling Plan

Happy Summer! I don't know about you, but summer always seems to go faster than I expect. If you've been meaning to fit in some literacy practice but haven't found a rhythm yet, there's still plenty of time. That's exactly why I created the 2-2-2 Summer Plan. Instead of trying to squeeze in full lessons several days a week, the idea is to keep skills active with a routine that's realistic for busy summer schedules: ✔ 2 days a week✔ 20 minutes a day✔ 2 types of practice If you'd like to learn...

2 months ago • 1 min read
Planning OG lessons with lesson templates and structured literacy resources

Hi friends! Planning Orton-Gillingham lessons can sometimes feel harder than the actual teaching. What should always be included?How much review is enough?How do you keep lessons organized without trying to cram everything into one session? A new article was just added to the site: New Article: Planning OG Lessons The article covers: lesson flow review and dictation oral reading pacing small group flexibility helping lessons feel more connected and less scattered ☀️ Summer Learning Sale...

3 months ago • 1 min read