How to Divide Consonant-le Words (The Count Back 3 Rule Explained) + Word Lists
Both the Consonant + LE syllable type and the C+LE syllable division patterns are a departure from what we teach students in our other syllable division rules. Let’s dive in to see how it’s done.
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What is Consonant + LE?
Consonant+LE is the L in REVLOC.
To divide a word with this syllable pattern, we see the CLE syllable pattern at the end, then go to the end and count back three letters, and then divide the word before the Consonant+LE syllable.
This is why it is important to isolate these syllables and teach them before we start dividing these words.
Consonant + LE is ALWAYS at the end of the word.
The C+LE endings are:
- b’le
- d’le
- f’le
- g’le
- k’le
- t’le
- z’le
- p’le
Consonant + LE Division Patterns
After learning the syllable type, students progress to dividing words with the consonant + LE at the end. We have two patterns we teach: Puzzle and Table Words.
Puzzle Words or C/L
Puzzle Words are when the first syllable will be closed and the second syllable will be L (the letter that represents C+LE in our REVLOC system of labeling).
Puzzle Words include:
- cuddle
- dazzle,
- bottle
- baffle
- bramble
- humble
- grumble
- crumple
- fickle
- tackle
- chuckle
Table Words or O/L
Table words are when the first syllable is open and the second syllable will be the letter L (in REVLOC).
Table words include:
- ladle
- noble
- trifle
- idle
- bridle
- maple
- gable
- bugle
In both cases, the student will see the pattern at the end, go to the end, count back 3, then divide. They will label the first syllable open or closed and read slowly, then faster to read the whole word.
Walk students through Consonant+LE syllable types and syllable division step-by-step using Scope and Sequence Workbook 2.
Word Lists that use the consonant + le Syllable Type
Within this syllable division type, there are different kinds of words we find.
Type 1 – middle consonant doubled, this makes only one sound in the middle:
- Cuddle (it’s not cud, dle for the pronunciation, but if you only had one d, the u would be long)
- Kettle
- Fiddle
- Paddle
- Brittle
- Smuggle
- Topple
Type 2 – consonants you can hear (unlike the previous, you can hear the consonant before the cons. + le syllable here):
- Shingle (“ing” alters the sound of the i in this closed syllable)
- Purple
- Handle
- Gentle
- Crumple
Type 3 – ck in the middle:
Normally, we tell students to keep blends and digraphs together (especially once we get to VCCCV division pattern), but in the case of C+LE we tell students they will break up the ck.
This becomes clearer once we move from the consonant+ LE syllable type and start actually dividing words with this pattern.
Examples:
- Crackle
- Fickle
- Trickle
- Pickle
- Cockle
Type 4 – beyond Puzzle and Table Words:
Once students are familiar with the pattern and have mastered Puzzle and Table words, we can move beyond those patterns, and students can label syllables with REVLOC that are more challenging.
- circle
- turtle
- purple
- gentle (soft g)
- bugle (u sound is advanced)
Another list you can teach as a group with the -ing/-ang/ank/-ink words as -cle words:
- mingle, jingle
- ankle
- tangle, mangle
- wrinkle, twinkle
You may also enjoy:
Ready to Teach Consonant + LE Syllable Division?
If you’d like ready-made lessons that walk students through Consonant+LE syllable types and syllable division step-by-step, you’ll find full lessons inside Scope and Sequence Workbook 2.
Everything is laid out in order — from coding to division to reading practice — so you’re not piecing it together yourself.
If you’re new to Orton-Gillingham and need a clear, easy-to-follow path to learning syllable types and division patterns, my structured literacy courses walk you through the “why” and the “how” behind it all.
Recommended products
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Read & Spell Foundations System Consonants & Short Vowels | Structured Literacy for Early Readers
$14.99 -
Scope and Sequence Bundle | Reading & Spelling System
$49.50 -
Short Vowel Rules Bundle | FLOSS, -ck,-tch, -dge Rules | Packets
$15.50 -
VCCV Bundle Packets + Fluency Stories | RABBIT, REPTILE, CANDY and HORNET Words
$20.66
I’ve been a bit MIA. Sorry! Anyhow, we just reinforced this yesterday in homeschool school. I went ahead and bought “How to Spell” to go along with How to Teach Spelling so I could give them practice without me having to be there ALL the time! They seemed to do well with the -LE count back three. However, I missed the little tidbit on the -CK division so I’m glad you pointed that out!
Funny about the accidental misplacement of your post! I did that once when I uploaded a photo–it went to my blog and I only wanted it to go into storage to use later for some post!
Also, I guess I didn’t see the worksheet. Did I miss it or did it not get attached to the post? Thanks!! ~~Terri
Hi Terry, oops, when I transferred the post I didn’t notice I had an attachment. I will put it up this week.
Okay! Great!
I posted the worksheet. Sorry it is sideways! I was in a hurry.
Okay! I can print it now! Personally, I’m always sideways and in a hurry! Thanks bunches. Hope you are great!
Would ‘cle’ be considered a C-le syllable ending as well?
Also, where do you divide the word ‘double’? As dou – ble or doub – le?
Hi! Sorry for the delay in answering you here. Yes. C+le is included. To divide this syllable type, always go to the end and count back three. So, double would divide — dou / ble
Thanks! Another question:
Is the “go to the end and count back three” a rule that can applied to dividing all kinds of syllables (words), in general; or is it only a rule for words ending with C+le?
Not to all kinds — only apply that count back three to the Consonant + le types. See the “le” — count back three.
Go to the end and count back 3. Except for ck PICKLE. Must keep ck together. Divide before or after? Wht say the “experts?”
Hi Mel, you do break up the CK in Consonant + LE words — always. Under other rules, that would be a no-no, but in the case of C+LE, it’s always broken. That’s what the experts who taught me, taught me.
So, speckle, would be spec kle (the syllable kle says k’l and you would teach that syllable, along with other C+Le syllables: ble = b’l (as in bubble), dle = d’l (as in idle), kle = k’l (as in pickle), etc.