The Elementary Spelling Book, being an Improvement on the American Spelling Book · Nos. 1–2 · Part 2: First syllables
5. First syllables: ba, be, bi, bo, bu, by
Goal: Your child reads and spells simple two-letter syllables made of a consonant and a vowel.
You'll need
- The book, open to this table
- A slate, small whiteboard, or paper and pencil
What's in the book
Table No. 1 sets out syllables of one consonant and one vowel, row by row through the alphabet (ba, be, bi, bo, bu, by, then da, de and so on). No. 2 continues with h, j, k, l and more. Above No. 1 is a specimen of Old English script letters.
The lesson, step by step
The pattern
These are not words yet, just syllables: one consonant and one vowel. In each syllable the vowel says its long sound, its name: ba (bay), be (bee), bi (bye), bo (bow), bu (byoo), by (bye).
The y at the end of a row sounds just like i.
Read the table aloud
Read across the rows with your child. Keep it brisk and cheerful. The rows go like this:
be, bi, bo, bu
de, di, do, du
fe, fi, fo, fu
Then try No. 2, which goes on with other letters:
ha, he, hi, ho
ja, je, ji, jo, ju
la, le, li, lo, lu
Spell aloud
Webster's children spelled every syllable aloud before saying it. Point to a syllable; your child names the letters, then says the syllable.
Sayb, a, ba. b, e, be.
Go across the rows this way. Then you say a syllable and your child spells it without looking.
Change one letter
On the slate write "ba". Change the b to d: "da". Change it to f: "fa". Your child reads each new syllable. Then keep the b and change the vowel: be, bi, bo, bu.
Dictation
Say a syllable; your child writes it. Try: ba, de, fi, go, hu, ly. Check each one together.
Wrap up
Your child picks a row and reads it to you as fast as they can, without mistakes.
Afterwards
Read a few rows of Nos. 1 and 2 each day until they are easy. Short and daily works far better than long and rare.
Tip
If your child is not yet sure of all the letters, go back to the alphabet for a few days first.