#90: A Simpler Way to Teach Multisyllabic Words with Devin Kearns
I’ll admit it: I used to obsess over the “right” way to teach syllable division. VCCV? VCV? Open vs. closed? I even bookmarked howmanysyllables.com like it was gospel.
But no matter how many times I drilled the rules, my students would still stumble. They’d freeze on longer words. Second-guess their decoding. And I’d feel that creeping doubt: Am I making this harder than it needs to be?
If you’ve been there too, this episode is for you. Dr. Devin Kearns, a leading early literacy researcher and reading specialist, shares a flexible strategy for decoding multisyllabic words—without overwhelming students (or teachers) with rigid rules.
Why Traditional Syllable Rules Often Fail
Let’s be real: English is messy.
Teaching kids to break apart longer words using rules like “VC/CV” or “VCV” might technically work half the time… but that also means it fails half the time.
And for struggling readers? That inconsistency can be a dealbreaker.
Dr. Kearns breaks it down like this:
- Open syllables (ending in a vowel) usually say the long sound.
Ex: ti in tiger → /tī/ - Closed syllables (ending in a consonant) usually say the short sound.
Ex: rab in rabbit → /ræb/
But here’s the catch: those rules only get you so far. English is full of borrowed words, shifting vowel sounds, and exceptions. Teaching the rules as absolutes can backfire—fast.
So What Does Work?
Instead of teaching rules, Dr. Kearns recommends teaching principles:
Two Core Principles:
- Every syllable has at least one vowel.
- If a vowel ends the syllable, it’s likely long. If it’s followed by a consonant, it’s likely short.
These principles are consistent, simple, and easier for students to internalize. And when they don’t result in the “correct” pronunciation the first time? No problem.
We teach students how to adjust.
This flexibility is called Set for Variability—the idea that being a little bit wrong is part of the reading process. The goal isn’t perfection on the first try. It’s decoding with confidence, even when words get weird.
Try This Step-by-Step Syllable Strategy
Here’s how to simplify decoding multisyllabic words—without relying on rigid rules:
Step 1: Mark the vowels
- Dot under single vowels
- Underline vowel teams (ea, ai, ou, etc.)
Step 2: Break the word into chunks
- Use the principle: each chunk needs a vowel
- Don’t overthink the “correct” spot—just make sure each part looks okay
Step 3: Apply the vowel principle
- If the vowel is at the end → long sound
- If it’s closed in → short sound
Step 4: Try reading it
- If it doesn’t sound like a real word?
Try a different vowel sound and see if it clicks
Step 5: Adjust and move on
- Dragon might first come out as “dra-GONE”
That’s okay—adjust it to “DRAG-un”
This flexibility is a feature, not a bug
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
- Why traditional syllable rules create confusion (especially for struggling readers)
- Two simple principles that make decoding multisyllabic words easier
- A strategy that helps students self-correct without fear of “failing”
- How to give kids tools that build true reading flexibility
- Why “getting close enough” is often the most powerful step toward fluency
You Don’t Need to Be Perfect. Neither Do Your Students.
The beauty of this approach? You don’t need a perfect syllable division. You don’t need flashcards, color-coded rules, or a deep dive into linguistics.
You just need a clear, flexible strategy—and the belief that getting close is good enough to grow.
If you’re a Type A teacher who’s felt crushed under the pressure to “do it right,” this method is your permission slip to breathe.
Want More Support? Join The Science of Reading Formula
Inside The Science of Reading Formula, we give you everything you need to teach phonics and decoding with confidence:
- Done-for-you word lists
- Step-by-step lesson plans
- Support for both new and experienced teachers
No more Googling. No more guessing.
👉 Join The Science of Reading Formula
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