Materials for Syllabication

The materials for syllabication consist of two formats.

The newest format is found in the Student Activity Center and Build Your Own.  The format is very interactive and also uses TTS - Text to Speech to confirm the pronunciation of the word. 

The original format, but still usable for local work or when you do not have internet connectivity, is a Microsoft Excel workbook with six tabs.  You should download and scan the file.  Once downloaded, you should run the application from your own computer.  You may want to add a shortcut to the desktop.  You will also need to Enable Macros when opening the worksheet for the application to work.

Excel Tool Overview:

An advanced feature of the materials is the use of Excel's Text to Speech (version 2003 or higher).  Since each computer installs the program defaults differently, you can test your Excel's Text to Speech by creating a new document, click on the Tools menu, select Speech and select Show Text to Speech Toolbar.  Your system may prompt you through several steps to activate it.  You can still use many of the features of the materials if you can't get Text to Speech to work.

Tabs: 

• Instructions:  This tab provides detailed instructions and descriptions for all tabs.
   
• Syllable Analysis:  This is the key tab for the materials.  You can select the particular syllabication skill you want to focus on, including your own list of words.  Depending on your display or projection tools, this can be used one to one, with small groups or the entire class.  Since this tab is primarily instructional, present the steps in a deliberate and articulate method.
  
  You may also print this page for selected key words and use a laminated cover to practice with dry erase markers.
   
• Print OR Say:  This tab allows you to print a random sample from the wordlist selected in Syllable Analysis.  This can be used for pre/posttests.  This tab should be used to check for fluency.  
  
  In addition, the ear icon allows the use of Text to Speech to say a block of words.  This will build fluency in pronunciation. 
  
  Clicking on the Smile icon will randomize the list.  You can also press the F9 key.
   
• Developed Word Lists:  This tab provides 28 columns for specific skills.  Several of the columns are prepopulated.  The remaining Expansion columns allows you to create your own lists.  This is particularly useful for subject related materials, such as science, geography, etc....   In fact, you can Save AS the downloaded file and create a worksheet for each subject.  Then you can modify the columns for each chapter's vocabulary.
   
• Develop Vocabulary:  This tab allows you to enter two definitions and/or sentences to build vocabulary.  This is optional for each word.  The definitions are used in the Syllable Analysis tab when the book icon is clicked.  If a word does not have a definition, nothing will happen.
  
  One way to efficiently populate the definitions is to have teams of two or three students assigned so many words.  The teams can then populate this tab.  This allows slower students and advanced students to partner and develop vocabulary.  This technique is particularly useful when building subject matter lists. 
   
• Blends and Digraphs List:  This tab is used to identify blends and digraphs in the Syllable Analysis tab.  Access to update is provided just in case one is omitted.