PRIMARY SPELLING & PHONICS • GRADE 2–3 PHONICS • OPEN SYLLABLES • LONG Ā STUDENT WORKSHEET • PAGE 1 OF 2

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Open Syllable Law • Long ā Ending an Accented Syllable

An open syllable ends in a vowel. In standard English, an accented vowel ending an open syllable is almost always long (ā):

12 Target Dissyllables: bā-ker, mā-ker, lā-dy, bā-by, crā-dle, tā-ble, stā-ble, grā-vy, pā-per, tā-per, vā-por, mā-ple.

Syllabication & Open Syllable Analysis • 26px Track

Copy the 12 dissyllables. Notice that the first syllable ends in the vowel a:

ba-ker • ma-ker • la-dy • ba-by • cra-dle • ta-ble

sta-ble • gra-vy • pa-per • ta-per • va-por • ma-ple

Contrast: Open Syllable (Long ā) vs. Closed Syllable (Short ă)

Observe how a single consonant leaves the vowel open and long:

ba-ker (open = long ā) vs. bat-ter (closed = short ă)

la-dy (open = long ā) vs. lad-der (closed = short ă)

Contextual Sentences • Application

Complete the sentences using baker, baby, cradle, maple:

1. The sleeping ____________ lay rocking softly in her wooden ____________.

2. Sweet golden syrup was made from the tall ____________ trees.

Wheeler's Orthoepic Rules • The Open Syllable Law

1. 1. The Open Syllable Law: When a syllable ends with a single vowel, the vowel is 'open' and says its long alphabet name (macron ā): ba-ker, la-dy, pa-per.

2. 2. Contrast with Closed Syllables: If a consonant closes the syllable, the vowel is 'shut in' and short: compare la-dy (long ā) with lad-der (short ă).

3. 3. The Syllabic -le in Cradle & Table: In cra-dle, ta-ble, sta-ble, ma-ple, the single consonant joins the final -le, leaving the first syllable open and long.