This is the ultimate resource when you want to target deconstruction of multi-syllabic words. With 12 boards and 600 four syllable words, it will be hard to beat to practise the skills to gain fluency.

Students need memory skills and confidence to avoid the trap of guessing based on the first letter or syllable. I target memory with hands-on activities, usually CUT 'em UP, an activity that involves the whole word on a flash card, decoding first then cutting the word into syllable parts. I do this with a number of words (depending on student ability) until there are a number of syllable parts spread out in front of the student that they can sound out. I then call a word and the student has to find the syllable parts and stick them together. I do this with all the words and I time them. They love it. It targets the ability to syllabicate, hold the syllables in memory, blend to reconstitute the word and say it, perfect for multi-syllable words. It always works! Some may need more practice than others but you will know how long by monitoring reading development.

(The student may need to learn to count the syllables in a word if they don't know how to do this already. I use either the chin movement or clapping method. I ask them to show me where the syllables are and draw a line between them. At this stage I am not concerned about syllabication rules if the student can separate the syllables accurately enough to be able to sound them out individually and reconstitute the word later.)

A game like this will help to improve reading through fluency (and confidence) and all teachers know that is the key to comprehension. Without fluency, reading can become a difficulty that students avoid. They don't get hooked on a book and they don't persevere when faced with words they don't know because their confidence doesn't help them out. This is a pattern I see around 7-9 years of age and it will persist without intervention.

Most of the students I see are one or more years behind their peers in reading. They don't read for pleasure in their own time so reading time is limited. My job is to get them hooked on a book so they want to read. Once they do that, they will make significant progress. Playing games like this will help to develop the skills to gain more confidence in their ability.