Splitting long words
Find the vowels first. Then decide where to cut.
What this skill is
Dividing long words into syllables makes them readable without guessing. Every syllable contains exactly one vowel sound, which is the anchor for every division rule.
Three ways to teach it at home
- Find and mark the vowels first. Every syllable has exactly one vowel sound.
- Between two vowels with two consonants, cut between the consonants. With one consonant, try cutting after the vowel first, and if it is not a word, try after the consonant.
- Never split a digraph or a blend. Say that out loud, because children will try.
The full word list
Every word here uses only spellings taught at or before this rung, so nothing needs guessing. Print it, or read it down the column together.
rabbit · napkin · picnic · muffin · tiger · robot · open · cabin · lemon · wagon · helmet · basket · sunset · contest · magnet · pilot · music · paper
Where this sits in the ladder
Comes after
Opens next
Questions people actually ask
What grade is "splitting long words"?
It sits in grade 3 in most sequences, and it is aligned to RF.3.3c. In Ladderbug it opens once consonant-le is solid — grade labels are a rough guide, and readiness is what actually matters.
Is this game free?
Yes. This page needs no account, no email and no card, and there are no advertisements. It saves progress in your own browser.
This is one rung of 82.
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