VCCV Syllable Division (Rabbit, Reptile, Candy and Hornet Words) + Word lists

VCCV syllable division is usually the first major syllable division pattern students learn in Orton-Gillingham.

Breaking VCCV words into smaller pattern groups, such as Rabbit, Reptile, Candy, and Hornet words, helps students see that bigger words still follow patterns.

In this article, we’ll walk through each VCCV type, how the words are divided, and how these patterns fit into a structured literacy lesson.

VCCV Patterns: An Overview

At this point, students have usually worked with CVC words, closed syllables, and Magic E words. Now they are beginning to read multisyllabic words, and that can become overwhelming quickly if they are not ready.

The first pattern taught in syllable division is VCCV, or Vowel-Consonant-Consonant-Vowel. There are four different kinds of VCCV word patterns. They are labeled according to REVLOC syllable types.

They are:

Rabbit                           Two closed syllables
Reptile                          One Closed, One Magic E syllables
Candy                           One Closed, One Open syllables where the y at the end says, long e
Hornet                          One Closed, One R-Controlled syllables

To determine the type of word, we underline vowels, label the pattern, and, in this syllable pattern, divide between the two consonants, label each syllable based on REVLOC, and use that labeling to pronounce the word.

If you want to see how syllable division fits into a full structured literacy scope and sequence, I go through this step by step inside my Orton-Gillingham courses.

Example of Each VCCV Syllable Division Types

Here are examples of each type of word pattern. See if you can divide them!

VCCV: Rabbit Words (Two Closed Syllables: C/C)

Rabbit words. Underline vowels, divide between consonants, and label syllables according to REVLOC.

In addition to coding words, students should practice reading all words out loud. This fortifies the understanding of the different syllable types and the sounds they make. Students should even read the nonsense words.

If you want lesson-ready Rabbit word practice, including worksheets, decoding activities, and fluency passages, you can find the Rabbit packet here.

VCCV: Reptile Words (Closed + Magic E: C/E)

Reptile Words. One closed and one magic e syllable. Divide between two consonants in VCCV pattern.

VCCV: Candy Words (Closed + Y says long E)

Candy words. One closed syllable, one open syllable, where the y at the end is pronounced as a long e. VCCV is divided between the two consonants.

VCCV: Hornet Words (Closed + R-Controlled: C/R)

Hornet Words. One of the syllables will be R-controlled. Divide between the two consonants. This pattern is taught later in the scope and sequence — after R-controlled vowels and R-controlled syllables are taught.

3-Syllable VCCV Division

Here is a list of three-syllable VCCV words. And a picture of how they would be labeled.

• Fantastic
• Encompass
• Confiscate
• Atlantic
• Indignant
• Compensate
• Insistent

A Final Word

VCCV syllable division becomes much easier when students recognize that these words fall into patterns.

Instead of memorizing one word at a time, students begin seeing how syllable types work together to support reading and spelling.

Once students understand Rabbit, Reptile, Candy, and Hornet patterns, multisyllabic words start to feel much more manageable.

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