English lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 30 minutes
Counting syllables
Phonics & Sight Words
CCSS RF.K.2.BEngland: Reception Phonics
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Counting syllables.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.
Leads to: Split two-syllable words (rab|bit, ro|bot)
Materials: Sound cards and picture cards, Magnetic letters, Mini whiteboards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval: three short questions students should already manage. Answers on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Clap the word "tiger". How many syllables (beats) does it have? (1 / 2 / 3 / 4) → 2Prompt: Say the word slowly and clap each beat.
- Which word has exactly 1 syllable? (caterpillar / monkey / tree / dinosaur) → treePrompt: Clap each word.
- Clap the word "garden". How many syllables (beats) does it have? (1 / 2 / 3 / 4) → 2Prompt: Say the word slowly and clap each beat.
Hook · 3 min
- Hide picture cards in a bag and ask children to say the first sound of each one they pull out.
- Share the objective: Counting syllables. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Clap the word "puppy". How many syllables (beats) does it have?
- Step 1: "puppy" has 2 beats.
- Step 2: So the answer is: 2
- Answer: 2
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Clap the word "banana". How many syllables (beats) does it have? (1 / 2 / 3 / 4) → 3Prompt: Say the word slowly and clap each beat.
- Which word has exactly 4 syllables? (star / banana / caterpillar / button) → caterpillarPrompt: Clap each word.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which word has exactly 3 syllables? (family / cat / apple / caterpillar) → familyPrompt: Clap each word.
- Clap the word "puppy". How many syllables (beats) does it have? (1 / 2 / 3 / 4) → 2Prompt: Say the word slowly and clap each beat.
Watch out for
- Adding an extra "uh" to sounds ("buh" instead of a clean b).
- Reading the letters one by one but not blending them into a word.
Support and stretch
Support
- Use concrete materials: sound cards and picture cards.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Split two-syllable words (rab|bit, ro|bot).
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/kindergarten.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder