VCCCV Syllable Division: Blends, Digraphs, and Word Lists

A VCCCV word contains a vowel followed by three consonants and then another vowel sound. When students see these words, they use their knowledge of blends and digraphs to know where the word should be divided.

VCCCV, Vowel-Consonant-Consonant-Consonant-Vowel looks longer and possibly more challenging than other division rules, but it’s not as scary as it looks.

What are VCCCV Ostrich Words?

Unlike VCCV words, which may follow Rabbit, Reptile, Candy, or Hornet patterns, VCCCV words are typically grouped together as Ostrich words because students use the same basic strategy: keep blends and digraphs together when dividing.

The main rule for Ostrich words is to keep blends and digraphs together when dividing. Start by looking at the three consonants in the middle of the word. If two of those consonants form a blend or digraph, keep them together and divide before the group.

Vocabulary Review

A digraph is a combination of consonants that come together to make a new sound. Examples would be, th, ch, tch, sh, wh. Notice that we do not say, “t” “h,” we say, “th,” as in think or “c” “h,” we say, “ch,” as in chimp. The letters are together and are pronounced as one sound.

A blend is when consonants come together, and we can hear both sounds. As in, bl, (blind), cl (climb), nd (found), st (lobster), gr (pilgrim). It doesn’t matter where the blend appears in a word, you can hear each letter clearly making its own sound.

How to Divide VCCCV Ostrich Words

As we said, we want to keep the consonants together when they go together, but how do we help students determine that?

Step 1: Underline the vowels or vowel sounds
Step 2: Code the word, VCCCV, starting with the first vowel
Step 3: Divide after the first C, if there are consonants that should stay together, make sure they are together (even if that means you have to move to dividing after the second C)
Step 4: Label each syllable based on REVLOC
Step 5: Read the syllables slowly, read the whole word

After the students divide and read, they can also practice writing the word.

Notice that the examples become more advanced as you move down the list. This is intentional. The goal is not to memorize a list of Ostrich words, but to learn how to apply the pattern in increasingly challenging words. Whether the word contains a common blend like st or a digraph like ch, the same principle applies: keep the sounds that belong together together.

Common Mistakes with VCCCV Words

Students often:

• Divide between the second and third consonant without checking for blends. (Note: This is why we first teach students to divide after the first consonant. In many VCCCV words, the blend or digraph appears after that first consonant. However, if two consonants form a blend or digraph, they should always stay together.)
• Forget to keep digraphs together.
• Focus on counting letters instead of listening for sounds.
• Try to use Rabbit or Reptile rules instead of looking for the blend or digraph.

Teaching Tip: Look for “Best Friends”

Some students struggle to know whether a blend or digraph should stay together when dividing Ostrich words. One simple strategy is to tell students to look for “best friends.”

Best friends are letters that like to stay together. When students see common blends and digraphs, remind them not to separate them if possible.

Examples:

• dr in hundred
• tr in ostrich
• ph in dolphin
• ch in poncho
• mp in pumpkin

When students are unsure where to divide a VCCCV word, asking, “Do you see any best friends?” can help them notice consonants that belong together.

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