Understanding the Six Syllable Types - VCE
As we’ve mentioned before, one of the most effective practices used in evidence-based reading instruction is the process of teaching each of the syllable types and syllable division patterns.
Again, if you have never heard of the six syllable types, don't worry - you are not alone. Check out our blog: What’s This About the Six Syllable Types.
We’re going to run through a quick review to make sure everyone is on the same page!
Why teach the six syllable types?
Understanding the syllable types helps students anticipate the vowel sounds within a word. It also helps students learn to break or chunk words effectively to sound out longer words.
The Science of Reading has provided a great deal of information on the most effective, evidence-based practices in teaching reading. Teaching the six syllable types aligns with the explicit teaching of concepts. So specifically, we teach:
What is a Syllable?
A syllable is a word or part of a word with one vowel sound. Understanding this definition can help us to read and spell effectively.
As we work with students we also want to follow a systematic progression of concepts. Systematic phonics-based instruction is well-researched and has been proven to help children learn to read better than all forms of control group instruction including whole language based on quantitative meta-analyses (Ehri, L. C., Nunes, S. R., Stahl, S. A., & Willows, D. M. 2001).
A systematic progression means working from the most basic concepts and progressing to more complex concepts while continuing to systematically review the concepts taught earlier in the progression. Now, it’s important to note that our systematic progression of concepts is not necessarily the same as others’ - this is okay. It’s all about using a hierarchy and order of teaching that generally provides students with access to the tools they need as quickly as possible to be able to read as many words as possible.
Within our progression, we move from closed syllables to VCE syllables.
You can find more information on the other syllable types here:
What is a VCE Syllable?
The VCE syllable is short for Vowel Consonant E and is a syllable where the first vowel is long and the final vowel, the e, is silent.
How do I teach the VCE Syllable Type?
We follow a systematic, hands-on approach to help students understand how the Vowel-Consonant-E (VCE) syllable pattern works.
1. Review Short and Long Vowel Sounds
Before introducing the VCE pattern, we make sure students can clearly identify short and long vowel sounds. This flexibility helps them hear the difference before and after the magic E appears.
2. Build the Word with Letter Tiles or Markers
We start by building a closed syllable word like can using letter tiles or a whiteboard. Students read the word and notice that the vowel is “trapped” by a consonant, so it says its short sound. Read more about closed syllables here.
Then, we add an E to the end to make cane. We explain that the E is silent, but it jumps over the consonant to make the first vowel say its long sound. Even though there are two vowels, we only hear one.
For younger students, we often call this the “Magic E” syllable to keep it fun and to support their memory.
3. Mark the Pattern Together
Next, we model how to mark a VCE word:
Draw an arc from the E over the consonant
Mark the first vowel with a macron (straight line) to show the long sound
Cross out the E to show that it’s silent
We guide students through this process during small group or individual work, helping them read and mark each word.
4. Practice Switching Closed → VCE
Once students are comfortable, we show them how the same word changes meaning and pronunciation when we add an E:
mop → mope
sam → same
cut → cute
We guide them in noticing the pattern and reflecting on how just one letter (the silent E) changes everything.
5. Reinforce Through Sorting, Marking & Games
We use activities like:
Word sorts (closed vs. VCE)
Mark-and-read routines
High-interest games with VCE patterns
This repetition across different formats helps cement the concept and leads to that “aha” moment where everything clicks.
What if a student gets stuck?
Some students:
Still try to pronounce the silent E
Forget to change the vowel from short to long
Confuse VCE words with vowel team or r-controlled patterns
That’s normal! We support them by:
Using consistent language and visual cues (like our anchor charts)
Reviewing closed syllables to help contrast the pattern
Giving ample time to practice switching words before and after adding the E
We’ve found that students really start to own the pattern when they explore the contrast themselves, not just memorize the rule.
Looking to teach this yourself?
Depending on where you are in your teaching journey, here are a few next steps:
Just getting started?
Download our free Syllable Types Anchor Charts to introduce each of the six syllable types (including VCE) in a clear and visual way.
Download the Anchor Charts » Get them here!
Want games ready to go?
Grab our favorite VCE card games! » Check them out here!
Want to see how we teach all the rules?
Our Reading Rules We Teach Spotlight PD walks through the full progression of the reading rules we teach with a Comprehensive Rules Guide you can use to guide your instruction.
📘 Explore the PD » Currently available in the 5CCL Learning Lab