Counting Syllables in Words Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RF.1.3.D

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

A single unit of sound that resonants from a word is referred to as a syllable. Syllables are made up of a combination of vowels and consonants. Syllables are often referred to as beats of language. Once you start to see how to identify them in the work below you will clearly see why. A quick way to identify the number of syllables a word has is to listen to the number of times you hear a vowel within the sounds made by the words. These practice worksheets will help start to learn to identify the number of syllables in the words that are presented.

Counting Syllables Worksheets To Print:

Sports Season - Sort the words into boxes according to the number of syllables in each word. Write each word in the correct box.

Triton's Treasure - Color a shell for each syllable in the word.

Harvest Time - Let's switch from shells to pumpkins.

At the Zoo - The zoo animals have either three or four syllables in their names.

Roger in Love - Words that describe Roger in the passage.

Queen Bee - Divide each word by putting a slash (/) symbol between each syllable.

Crazy Cubes - Pick the count from the given cubes.

Double Decker! - Think of a word with two or more syllables that has the same or a similar meaning. Write it on the line.

A Walk in the Woods - Please note that each tree has a slightly different numbered of choices.

How Many Syllables? - Saying the words out loud will always help you.

Shopping Day - Most kids don't consider vegetables as something that you shop for.

It's Showtime - Each word in the set has either two or three syllables.

Syllables Show - A great culminating activity for students.

Count On Your Fingers - Kids might need some help sounding out these words.

Desperately Seeking Syllables - Again, note the counts in each box.

Crazy Method - Try using a few methods to determine the number you hear in these words.

Sort By Number - You will sort these words into one, two, and three columns.

For Three - Which of these terms have three sounds in them?

More Practice - Practice this skill over a really good mix of words.

Big Terms - We look at some sizeable vocabulary here. Use a dictionary to help you.

Underwater Counts - How many sounds do you hear?

Correct Division - Find the word that has been divided into syllables correctly. Write its letter on the line.

Write Them Out - Pay attention to the directions. They trip up some students.

More Reps - A quick activity to carry on with this skill some more.

Clap It Out - Using the clapping method here.

More Clapping - We encourage you to try a different method if the last worksheet was easy for you.

Split It Up - Again, you are not required to fill all the columns. In fact only the last two terms will do this.

Count Them Up - How many unique sounds do you hear?

Tractor Work - We put all these skills together and see how we are doing with it.

Active Worksheet - Say the name of each picture out loud. This can be done as a whole class.

How to Count Syllables in Words?


Here are three easy ways to count syllables in words.


The "Listen Method"


The "listen method" is a common method to count syllables. It includes your listening skills, but it is also one of the easiest ways to count the syllables in a word. All you have to do is to listen to the word carefully. Say the word out loud for yourself. Pay attention to the pronunciation of it. Notice if there are any vowel sounds in the word. You can count the number of times you hear the sound of a vowel, a, e, i, o, u. That number would indicate the number of syllables present in that word.


The "Clapping Method"


If you are not interested in the dull and boring listening method, then this could be a nice twist to that. I always like to start off by having the class chant the word a few time. You can gather all the children, as you chant. We then instruct students to clap whenever they will hear the sound of a vowel in a word. Then, say the word slowly so that the children have enough time to grasp the pronunciation of it. The number of times they clap is the number of syllables present in the word.


The "Written Method"


If you want to include writing in the test of counting the syllables of a word, then the written method would be great. Give the kids a worksheet with a few words on it. The easiest way is to count the number of times you see a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) in a word. The result would be the number of syllables. However, you should add 1 if the letter "y" makes the sound of a vowel. You should also subtract 1 if the vowel is silent in the word. Almost all silent (e) words exhibit this behavior, so be on the look out for them. When two or more vowels are making the same sound (diphthong or triphthong), subtract 1. In the case of a word is ending with "le" or "les", subtract 1 if the letter before that is a consonant. Yes, there is a bit of math required with this method.


The "Chin Method"


This is a fun way to get your students active and it is great for tactile learners. Have students place one hand on top of the other and place those hands about an two inches under their chins. Have students say the word aloud. Have them count how many times there chins touch their hands. Each time they touch, guess what that represents. No math with this one at all.


Be A Robot


Have students pretend that they are robot from the future. Have them use their best robotic voice to say the word. Everytime they pause while saying the word represents a syllable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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