Teaching Multisyllabic Words Blend by Chunk: A Game-Changing Strategy for
As educators and parents, we’ve all seen it happen: A student who’s mastering simple phonics suddenly hits a wall when faced with multisyllabic words. That confident reader who can handle “cat” and “ship” freezes when encountering words like “segregation” or “prediction.” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone – and there’s a solution that can help: the Blend by Chunk method. You might also like the podcast on Spotify.
What is Blend by Chunk with Multisyllabic Words?
Rather than having students laboriously sound out each letter or memorize complex syllable division rules, Blend by Chunk teaches readers to break words into manageable pieces – like solving a puzzle. For instance, take the word “predict”:
- First, break it into chunks: “pre” and “dict”
- Blend the sounds within each chunk
- Finally, blend the chunks together to form the complete word
This approach isn’t just about reading individual words – it’s about developing a problem-solving mindset that students can apply to any unfamiliar word they encounter.
Why Blend by Chunk Works
I used to teach complex syllabication rules when teaching multisyllabic words but this slowed down the progress of many of my struggling readers. The power of this method lies in its simplicity and flexibility. Instead of overwhelming students with numerous rules to memorize, it encourages them to become “word detectives.” Here’s what makes it effective:
- It builds on existing phonics knowledge
- It engages multiple senses (seeing, hearing, and writing)
- It develops transferable skills that grow with the reader
- It promotes independence in tackling new words
Implementing Blend by Chunk For Multisyllabic Words
Small Group Instruction is Key
This method works best in small groups or one-on-one settings where teachers can:
- Observe each student’s decoding process
- Provide specific feedback on decoding attempts
- Guide students without simply giving them the answers
- Keep all students engaged as they take turns reading
Pre-Reading Activities
Before diving into a text:
- Have students write out multisyllabic words they’ll encounter
- Practice breaking words into chunks
- Build confidence with the chunking strategy before independent reading
The Role of Feedback
Remember to:
- Guide rather than correct
- Repeat what the student reads
- Encourage different chunking attempts
- Create a safe space for experimentation
Supporting Independent Reading Success
To help students succeed when reading independently:
- Match text difficulty to their current skill level
- Provide easier texts for independent reading
- Save more challenging texts for guided practice
- Trust the process and allow students to grow at their own pace
Beyond Basic Decoding
The Blend by Chunk method does more than teach reading – it enhances:
- Comprehension: Students process information more deeply when they understand word structure
- Writing skills: The connection between reading and writing strengthens naturally
- Spelling ability: Understanding word chunks improves spelling accuracy
- Overall confidence: Students develop tools to tackle any new word they encounter
Foundation in Phonemic Awareness
For this method to work effectively, students need strong phonemic awareness – the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds. Some activities to build this foundation include:
- Word ladders (changing one sound to make new words)
- Word sorting activities
- Multi-sensory approaches to learning sight words
- Regular practice with decodable and real texts
Conclusion
The Blend by Chunk method represents a shift from complicated rules to practical problem-solving. It’s not just about teaching students to read – it’s about equipping them with lifelong skills for tackling unfamiliar words. Whether you’re a classroom teacher or a homeschool parent, this approach can transform how your students interact with text, building confident, capable readers who are ready to tackle any word that comes their way.
Remember: Reading isn’t just about consuming information – it’s about connecting with the world around us through words. By teaching students to chunk effectively, we’re giving them the keys to unlock a lifetime of learning and literacy. All of my decodable story lesson plans
About the Author: Toni Stirtz is a certified academic language therapist and licensed dyslexia therapist with over 20 years of experience working with students with learning disabilities. Through Smart and Special Teaching, she provides resources and strategies to help struggling readers succeed.