Hello!

When students first see a word with three consonants between the vowels, it can look a little intimidating. But VCCCV words are much easier to divide once you know what to look for.

In OG, we often call these Ostrich words to highlight the three-consonant pattern. The key with VCCCV division is knowing when consonants need to stay together.

So, how do you divide an Ostrich word?

Step 1: Underline the vowels or vowel sounds.
​Step 2: Code the word VCCCV, starting with the first vowel.
​Step 3: Divide after the first consonant. Then check: Did you separate consonants that belong together? If so, move the division so the blend or digraph stays together.
​Step 4: Label each syllable using REVLOC.
​Step 5: Read each syllable slowly, then read the whole word.

Let’s try monster.

First, underline the vowels. (That’s how we start all syllable division.)

monster

Then identify the VCCCV pattern and divide after the first consonant:

mon / ster

Now ask:

Do any of these consonants belong together?

In monster, st is a blend. We can hear both sounds, but they stay together when we divide the word.

I sometimes tell students to look for “best friends,” blends and digraphs that shouldn't be separated.

You can use the same thinking with words like:

ham / ster​
​pil / grim

But sometimes keeping the blend together means moving the division:

pump / kin

Here, mp is the blend, so we divide after the second consonant instead.

Once students know what they're looking for, those three consonants in the middle become less complicated.

Ready to practice it?

My VCCCV Syllable Division Packet takes students from learning the Ostrich pattern to actually using it.

Students practice identifying the pattern, dividing and reading VCCCV words, and applying the skill in practice, including a decodable reader.

​TEACH VCCCV SYLLABLE DIVISION →​

Want to go deeper into the teaching behind the pattern? I've also put together examples, word lists, common mistakes, and more in my VCCCV guide.

​READ THE VCCCV TEACHING GUIDE →​

Want the bigger picture?

​Fast Track: Structured Literacy Foundations & Lesson Structure walks you through six foundational areas of structured literacy and shows you how to put them together in your teaching.

Your course includes

✓ Scope & Sequence Workbooks 1 & 2​
​✓ Drill Cards Workbook​
​✓ Lesson Plan Blueprint

That's $56 worth of teaching materials included with the course.

​EXPLORE FAST TRACK →​

P.S. You may have noticed a new name...

OGforALL is becoming All Up Literacy. Same practical structured literacy teaching and tools, with a name that gives me more room to grow.

You'll still see OGforALL here and there while I make the transition.

Happy teaching!​
Jennifer