For the last few weeks we have taken a look at the 6 basic vowel patterns that help kids to read more words easily and effortlessly. One may be thinking, well this is all great that we know each of the patterns, but what happens when there is a multi-syllable word? How would the child know where the vowel pattern begins and where the vowel pattern ends?
The answer is easy. It is called the Spot and Dot reading strategy. The Spot and Dot method is a simple way for the child to know where a word begins and where it ends. Let’s take a look at the word hotel. Here are the steps with this word. 
- Write the word down on a piece of paper.
- Put a dot above all of the vowels. In this case you would put a dot above the o and the e.
- Connect the dots. (As you are connecting the dots, count how many consonants are in between the vowels.) The word hotel has one consonant.
- If there is one consonant, like in this example, then you draw the line before it.
- Now we have ho/tel. Ho goes under the open pattern and tel goes under the closed pattern.
Here is a video showing the entire process for the word hotel.
Joamme, GREAT article! It’s funny how I just wrote about connecting the dots yesterday in a different context, but love how it can help kids to learn to read as well! Super info and keep on making an impact in the world!
OOOooopsss. My apology, speaking of spelling I just realized I need to slow down; got your name wrong…forgive me!
No worries. It is an easy enough mistake to do.
Twitter: beth_barany
says:
Really interesting! I love how you make a complicated topic — teaching spelling — very clear. I was wondering what the purpose of the tool is? Is it to help children learn how to pronounce unfamiliar words? Thanks!
Yes, it is to help kids with pronouncing unfamiliar words. I am creating a program slowly on my blog called phonics the easy way. It is going to be part of a program package.
Simple step and so clearly explained!
Say, are you going to put all these posts about vowels into an ebook of any kind?
No, it is not going to be an ebook, it is going to be part of my reading program that I am selling called Phonics the Easy Way.