How to Make Word & Syllable Cards
Flash cards reinforce class lessons and promote interactive practice. Teachers, parents and tutors can create flash cards containing words and syllables using a word processing program and a printer. Vocabulary and syllabic cards help students build phonetic and word recognition skills. When a student has practiced the basic skills, create an interactive activity such as a matching game or simple board game to liven up the learning activity and to test your child's mastery of the words and syllables.
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Things You'll Need
- Vocabulary list
- Word processing program
- Printer
- Card stock
- Scissors
- Markers (optional)
Instructions
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1
Obtain a vocabulary list from the teacher, lesson plan or textbook and divide each word into syllables. If applicable, phonetically transcribe the syllables according to what's taught in the classroom.
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2
Launch a word processing program such as Microsoft Word, Open Office Writer or Mac Pages and create a new, blank document.
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3
Select the "Insert Table" function (for example, in Microsoft Word this function is accessed under "Table" in the top menu bar).
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Specify a table containing three columns and four rows.
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Specify a fixed height for each row at 2.5 inches and set the contents of each cell in the table to be vertically centered.
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Press and hold the "Control" key (Windows PCs) or the "Command" key (Mac) and press the "A" key to select all contents.
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Choose the desired font, font size and select centered (horizontal) alignment in the formatting options (usually located in the top toolbar).
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Type each syllable of the vocabulary word in one cell on the table.
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Copy the table and paste to a second page, if desired, to create the back of the cards. Replace each syllable with its phonetic counterpart.
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Insert one sheet of card stock in the printer paper tray and select the "Print" function in the application.
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Print the first sheet. If desired, turn the card stock over and insert it into the printer's paper tray to print page two of the document on the back of the sheet.
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12
Cut out the table to create cards.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider making each syllable a different color, to identify the first, second and third syllables. After clicking a cell in the table, select the font color before typing the syllable. Keep track of the corresponding colors for syllables for polysyllabic words.
For polysyllabic words, consider marking the top corner of each card with a number to specify syllable order.
If you don't have a font or keyboard installed to type phonetic characters, consider writing the syllable in phonetics on the back of each card.
Create a game using the cards for practice (see Resources for suggestions).
Consider inserting a small picture of the final word on each card, if appropriate for the child's grade level and age group.
