Syllable Division Series: Part 3- Multisyllabic Words & Schwa

Note: This is Part 3 in a 3-part series on syllable division. In Part 1, we discuss the definition of a syllable, the 6 types of syllables, how to tell if a word is multisyllabic, and the 5 syllable division rules. Click HERE to read Part 1. In Part 2, we share spelling strategies for spelling multisyllabic words. Click HERE if you'd like to read Part 2. Now, onto our final installment!

Schwa? What is that?!

We would be remiss if we didn't discuss the schwa when talking about multisyllabic words, so that's what this blog post is all about!

Have you ever noticed any of the following?

• but/ton - the <o> is pronounced like the short /i/ sound, instead of the short /o/ (closed syllable)
• mit/ten - the <e> is pronounced like the short /i/ sound, instead of the short /e/ (closed syllable)
• a/like - the <a> is pronounced like the short /u/ sound, instead of the long /a/ (open syllable)

To our students, this can be very confusing! When we teach kids about syllable types and syllable division rules, they come to expect that the vowels will make their typical sounds according to the syllable type they are found in. However, there is a special vowel sound called the schwa that is found in many multisyllabic words, and it can throw a wrench in things! (That is... until you've explicitly taught it to your students!) So let's talk about this special vowel sound and how to teach it to your students in an easy-to-understand way!

Schwa: The Most Common Vowel Sound

You may be surprised to learn that the schwa is the most common vowel sound found in words, even though it may be the least well-known! The schwa is a lazy vowel sound that is found in an unstressed syllable (more on this in the next paragraph). It commonly sounds like /uh/ but can also make other vowels sounds.

Examples of words with the schwa: Alaska, button, magnet, yoga, salad, bacon, holiday

Here are some other fun facts about the schwa:

• Any of the 5 vowels can make a schwa sound
• When your mouth makes the schwa sound, you barely have to open your mouth (you can be lazy!)
• The schwa symbol looks like this: ə (an upside down e)

Stressed & Unstressed Syllables

Multisyllabic words have stressed and unstressed syllables. Let's talk about what each of these terms mean.

First up, the stressed syllable...

 
An unstressed syllable is just the opposite...

Let's use the word alike for an example. The word alike has 2 syllables: a|like. To determine which syllable is stressed, try saying the word with emphasis on the first syllable... A-like. Sounds kind of weird, right? Now say it with emphasis on the second syllable... a-LIKE. That sounds more like it! The second syllable is the stressed syllable, so you won't find the schwa sound here. Remember, it's only found in unstressed syllables!

The letter <a> in the first syllable isn't making it's full, strong sound. It's making the schwa sound instead and sounds more like the short u sound, /uh/. 

Introduce the Schwa with a... SLOTH!

Anchoring new learning with something students are already familiar with is VERY helpful when teaching the schwa sound. What's better to remember this lazy, unstressed vowel sound than a sloth?! Just like the schwa, a sloth is lazy and is never stressed! You can even get into character here and act out a lazy sloth.... your students will LOVE it! 

To make learning about the schwa even MORE engaging, we like to use these "schwa sloths" with our students! All you need to do is print, cut out, laminate, and attach each one to a pencil or popsicle stick. You can also attach a magnet to the back, instead. Then, write words with the schwa sound on your whiteboard and have students come up and identify it by pointing with their new sloth pointer, or using the magnetic version to mark the schwa!

If you'd like to download a copy of the schwa sloths to use with your students, click HERE or on the image below!

Start with Schwa A

When you're first introducing the schwa to your students, it's best to stick to similar words with the same vowel sound. We like to start with words that have the schwa A, either at the beginning (ex: alike, above, around)....
 

... or at the end (ex: yoga, panda, soda).

Once students understand the concept of the schwa, then you can move onto other word groupings that contain the schwa. Here are some examples:

• (-et): bas|ket, bon|net, mar|ket, pup|pet, jack|et, qui|et, mag|net
• (-on): but|ton, bi|son, com|mon, crim|son, fal|con, lem|on, less|on
• (-el): cam|el, tun|nel, fun|nel, man|tel, mar|vel, mod|el, shov|el

After practicing with 2-syllable words, move onto longer words containing 3 or more syllables. Examples include:

• bas|ket|ball
• cel|e|brate
• el|e|phant
• har|mon|y

Schwa Teaching Resource

Science of Reading Digital Phonics Lesson + Supplemental Materials for Schwa A

Are you feeling overwhelmed with teaching the schwa to your students? We have just the answer! Our digital phonics lesson for the Schwa A includes everything you need to introduce the schwa to your students - 2 days of digital lessons, a decodable word list, spelling practice page, and a decodable reader! Check it out by clicking the image above!