How to make a syllable wheel

Here are the materials needed to make a syllable wheel:

• Cover stock, heavy paper, or lightweight cardboard
• A fastener with two prongs

Here are some guidelines to follow when you make a syllable wheel:

• Make the wheel in two sizes:

  • A small one for drilling syllables one-on-one
  • A large one for class drills

Here is an example of a syllable wheel:

Basic syllable wheel

1. Cut a circle large enough so that there is room in the center for a fastener and room around the edge for the letters you need to print.
2. Cut another circle which has a diameter at least 2 inches larger than the first. Make it large enough so that the portion that shows is wide enough for the letters you need to print once the small circle is placed on top of the larger circle.
3. Print the first letter or letters of syllables all around the edge of the large circle.
4. Print the end of syllables around the edge of the small circle.
5. Make a hole in the exact center of each of the circles.
6. Place the small circle on top of the large circle.
7. Attach a fastener through the holes of the two circles.

Syllable wheel with frame for syllables

8. Cut a long strip.

   It should be:

   • Long enough to reach from the center to outside of the larger circle
   • Wide enough to cover any syllable formed by the wheel with a border left over
9. Cut out the inside of the strip, leaving only a sturdy border or frame and enough at one end to make a hole and attach it to the wheel.
10. Make the hole.
11. Attach the fastener through the holes of the circles and the frame.

• Barnwell 1979
• Brown, G. 1984

• Task module: How to make a syllable wheel
• In task module: Making teaching aids
• In task module: Developing materials to teach reading and writing
• In task module: Developing instructional materials, by Trudy K. Stewart, Leah B. Walter (contributor), and Trudi C. Hunt (contributor)
• In task module: Developing an instructional program, by Kenneth A. Boothe (contributor), Patricia M. Davis (contributor), Trudy K. Stewart (general editor), Leah B. Walter (contributor), Glenys Waters (contributor), and Adelle R. Walter (illustrator)
• In task module: Implementing a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler)
• In modular book: Implement a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler) and Leah B. Walter (compiler)
• In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 27 July 1999

© 1999 SIL International