Language and literacy terms are used to identify and map sounds with letter patterns. This supports developing orthographic and phonological skills for reading and spelling. Learning and understanding how the following foundational language and literacy terms are applied will support library workers to develop inclusive and engaging programming, work side-by-side with developing readers and writers ages 0-adult.
Letter, Vowel, & Consonant
Letter
A letter in the English language has a letter-name and a letter-sound.
Vowel
A vowel is a speech sound where the flow of air is not obstructed by the opening or closing of the throat, nose, tongue, teeth or roof of the mouth.
Consonant
A consonant is a speech sound where the air flow is partially or completely obstructed by a movement within
the throat or nose or having to do with the lips or tongue.
Consonant Terms
Unvoiced/Voiced Consonant Pair
A unvoiced / voiced consonant pair is a pair of letter sound-symbols that differ in sound production just enough to produce a contrasting sound from one another with the same mouthfeel.
They are: p/b, c,k/g, f/v, t/d, s/z
Short & Long Vowel Sounds
Short Vowel Sound
A short vowel sound is the sound of a vowel when it is followed by a consonant (other than r, h, w, y). A short
vowel sound does not say the name of the vowel.
Long Vowel Sound
A long vowel sound typically is the same sound as the name of the letter.
Consonant Digraph & Blend
Consonant Digraph
A consonant digraph is two consonant letters side by side that make one sound.
Examples: ch chin, wh whip, th then or path, sh shop or swish, -ck chick
Consonant Blend
A consonant blend is two or more consonant letters in a letter pattern where each individual sound is heard. The consonant vowel codes look like this: CCV, VCC or CCV.
Initial Consonant Blends
- r-blends
- Examples: drip, trust l-blends examples: black, class s-blends eg. smell, prism, slip
Final Consonant Blends
- xt, ct, nt, ft, pt, nd, ld, lm, rd, sm, st, nk, ng
- Examples: text, act, want, loft, wept, swept, prism, weld, sand, told, bird, gust, wing, thank, film
Syllable Terms
Syllable
A Syllable is a word or part of a word with one vowel sound.
Syllable Type
A Syllable Type indicates a predictable code helping readers and writers know what sound to expect the vowel
will make.
Closed Syllable
Closed syllable is a VC syllable containing a single vowel letter, ending in one or more consonants. The vowel has a short sound. Examples: bag, net, chip, smug, toss.
V-Consonant-e
V-consonant-e is a VCe syllable that contains a vowel followed by a consonant and a silent e. The vowel
has a long sound
Open Syllable
Open syllable is a V syllable that ends with one vowel which has a long vowel sound. Example: my, we, so, tulip, ivy, emit
R-Controlled Vowel
R-controlled vowel is a RC syllable where the letter r changes the sound of the vowel. Example: car, fir, hurt, for, her
Vowel Team
Vowel team is a VV syllable that has a long vowel (eg. ee, ea, ai, ay, oa, oe) sound or makes an entirely new sound (oi, oy, ue, ew, oo, ou, au, aw).
V-consonant-le
V-consonant-le is a V-cle syllable that ends with a -cle after the vowel. Examples: table, bubble, rabble-rouse.
Compound Word Terms
Compound Word
A compound word is a word made up of two or more whole words. Each word is spelled as though it is
independent.
Example: dishpan, tailgate, penpal, tablecloth
Syllable Division or Syllabication
Syllable Division or Syllabication is how to divide multisyllabic words into syllables to read and write.
VCCV Closed Syllable
Example: tennis, impact, confuse, rapture
VCCCV Closed Syllable
Example: plankton, lobster, contract
V/CV Open Syllable Combinations
Example: tiger, nylon, humor, futile, Nolan
CV/C Closed Syllable Combinations
Example: lemon, camel
-CLe – consonant -le syllables
Example: kibble, boggle, muddle
Phonics Scope and Sequence
Decodable books are aligned for a phonics scope and sequence. Below is a 6 category scope an sequence that we use at the DPLI. The key is to provide comprehensive, evidence-based literacy support that is structured, explicit, and multisensory.
Primer (CVC single syllable)
Early elementary (CVC, VCE single & two syllables)
Upper elementary (CVC, VCE single & two syllables, r-controlled vowel syllables, VV and inflective suffix)
Early middle grades (CVC, VCE single & two syllables, r-controlled vowel syllables VV syllables and lesson common spelling patterns such as alk, ought, igh suffix and changes to the word base and CLe syllable type)
Upper middle grades (CVC, VCE single & two syllables, r-controlled vowel syllables VV syllables and lesson common spelling patterns such as alk, ough, igh suffix and changes to the word base, prefix and stable final syllables -ture, etc)
High school (CVC, VCE single & two syllables, r-controlled vowel syllables VV syllables and lesson common spelling patterns such as alk, ought, igh, study of roots to read and spell words with medial vowel, diverse vowel stress up to 6 syllables)