Exception Experts Teacher Guide Exception Experts Teacher Guide
Instructional notes for teaching the "Rule Breakers" of closed syllables: -ost, -ild, -ind, -olt, and -old.
The Rule
In a standard closed syllable, the vowel is short. These 5 exceptions have a long vowel sound even though they are closed by two consonants.
The Chant
"The wild, kind, old ghost got a jolt!"
A mnemonic to remember all five exceptions in one sentence.
Lesson Sequence
1
Phonological Awareness
Contrast words like find vs fill. Explain that usually, two consonants keep the vowel short, but these are "rule breakers."
2
Visual Drill
Show cards. Have students trace the letters as they say: "-ild, wild, /īld/".
3
Decodable Reading
Use the focused passages included in this lesson, then the "Grand Quest" story once all exceptions are taught.
Quick-Fire Word Lists
-ost
-ild
-ind
find
kind
mind
blind
grind
-olt
-old
old
cold
gold
told
fold
hold
Exception Explainer Slides Rule Breakers
Mastering the Closed Syllable Exceptions
-ost -ild -ind -olt -old
The Typical Rule
Usually, a Closed Syllable has a short vowel.
m i s t
Short /i/
h e l p
Short /e/
But today, we are looking at 5 special endings that break this rule. Even though they are closed, the vowel says its NAME!
The Five Rule Breakers
-ost
as in
most
-ild
as in
wild
-ind
as in
find
-olt
as in
colt
-old
as in
gold
Memory Master
"The wild, kind, old ghost got a jolt!"
Repeat this sentence 3 times to remember them all.
Wild Child Passage The Wild Child
Focus Skill: -ild
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Once there was a child who loved the wild. She lived in a mild spot near the hills.
The child would run fast. She was not a mild kid when she played! She would shout at the wind and jump over logs.
One day, she found a wild cat. The cat was not mild at first. But the child sat still. Soon, the cat became her best friend.
Word Hunt
Find and list the -ild words:
Thinking Time
Where did the child live?
Rule Breaker: -ild says /īld/
Kind Mind Passage The Kind Mind
Focus Skill: -ind
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Can you find the kind man? He is at the mill. He has a sharp mind and works hard.
He will grind the corn into meal. He does not mind the work. It is behind the big shed. He will find the bags soon.
The man is always kind. If you find a rock, he will help you look at it. He is a kind man with a calm mind.
Word Hunt
Find and list the -ind words:
Thinking Time
What does the man do at the mill?
Rule Breaker: -ind says /īnd/
Cold Gold Passage The Cold Gold
Focus Skill: -old
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
The old man had a box of gold. He told me it was from a cave. It was a very cold cave!
He had to hold the box tight. He did not want to fold under the weight. The gold was heavy, but he was bold.
"I sold some of it," he told me. Now he is rich. But he is still the same old friend to me.
Word Hunt
Find and list the -old words:
Thinking Time
Where did the gold come from?
Rule Breaker: -old says /ōld/
Ghost Post Passage The Ghost Post
Focus Skill: -ost
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
I sent a letter by the post. It was for my host. I almost forgot to put on a stamp!
The letter was about a ghost. Most people do not like ghost stories. But my host loves them most.
I went to the fence post. I saw a white shape! Was it a ghost? No, it was just a white bird.
Word Hunt
Find and list the -ost words:
Thinking Time
What was the white shape at the post?
Rule Breaker: -ost says /ōst/
Bolt Jolt Passage The Bolt Jolt
Focus Skill: -olt
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
The young colt ran fast. He had a sudden jolt of energy! He wanted to bolt across the field.
There was a flash of light. It looked like a bolt of lightning. It was a fast bolt!
The colt did not like the thunder. He gave a jolt and ran to the barn. He is safe from the storm now.
Word Hunt
Find and list the -olt words:
Thinking Time
Why did the colt run to the barn?
Rule Breaker: -olt says /ōlt/
Grand Quest Passage Combined The Grand Quest
Reviewing all Closed Syllable Exceptions
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
An old, kind man lived in the wild hills. He told me he had found a chest of gold! He went to find it near a tall fence post.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning hit the ground. It gave him a jolt! He almost lost his way in the cold rain. But he had a mind to keep going.
He had to hold his map tight so it would not fold. At last, he found the gold. He is the most happy man in the hills. He is not a wild man, just a kind one.
Turn the page to start your quest activities!
Exception Sort
Place words from the story into their groups:
-ost
-ild
-ind
-olt
-old
The Mission
Why did the man keep going even when it was cold and rainy?
"The wild, kind, old ghost got a jolt!"
The Master Rule
Lost Ghost Passage 2 The Best Host
Focus Skill: -ost
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
I met a ghost by the lamp post. He was the host of a big party! He was a most kind ghost.
"I will post a note on the wall," said the ghost. "I want most of my friends to come to the post."
He had almost ten friends at the party. It was a most fun night. The ghost was the best host at the lamp post.
Word Hunt
Find and list the -ost words:
Thinking Time
What did the ghost put on the wall?
Rule Breaker: -ost says /ōst/
Blind Find Passage 2 The Best Find
Focus Skill: -ind
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Bill had to find his way home. He had a strong mind and did not quit. He walked behind the big red barn.
He had to grind the corn for the birds. "Be kind to the pets," he thought. He saw a blind spot near the gate.
Soon, he did find the path. He felt a kind hand on his arm. It was his dad! Bill was glad to find the best way home.
Word Hunt
Find and list the -ind words:
Thinking Time
Where did Bill walk to find his way?
Rule Breaker: -ind says /īnd/
Bold Soldier Passage 2 The Bold Soldier
Focus Skill: -old
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
A bold man told a tale of long ago. He was a soldier with a heart of gold. He lived in a cold land with no sun.
He had to scold the cat for eating his food. Then he had to fold his clothes and hold his shield.
He sold his horse for gold coins. Now he is old, but he still told the same bold story to every child.
Word Hunt
Find and list the -old words:
Thinking Time
What did the bold man sell?
Rule Breaker: -old says /ōld/
Fast Colt Passage 2 The Fast Colt
Focus Skill: -olt
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
See the young colt run! He is fast as a bolt of lightning. He will molt his soft fur in the spring.
He gave a jolt when he saw the gate was open. He wanted to bolt out into the wild field.
The farmer had to jolt into gear to catch him. "Stay here, little colt," he said. He gave the colt a treat.
Word Hunt
Find and list the -olt words:
Thinking Time
When will the colt molt his fur?
Rule Breaker: -olt says /ōlt/
Mild Spring Passage 2 A Mild Spring
Focus Skill: -ild
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
It was a mild day in the spring. A child went out to the wild woods to pick flowers.
The child saw a wild fox in the grass. The fox was not mild, it was very fast!
"Be careful in the wild," said her mom. The mild sun felt good on the child's face. It was a good day.
Word Hunt
Find and list the -ild words:
Thinking Time
What kind of day was it in the spring?
Rule Breaker: -ild says /īld/
Winter Gold Combined 2 Winter Gold
Reviewing all Closed Syllable Exceptions
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
In the cold of winter, a bold child went to find gold in the wild. She had a kind mind and told her dog to hold still.
Almost at once, a jolt of lightning hit a post! It was most scary. The child saw a ghost by the lamp post.
She had to grind through the snow. A fast colt ran past her. At last, she found a fold of old gold in the dirt. She was the most happy child!
Turn the page for your winter activities!
Exception Word Hunt
Can you find at least two words for each ending?
-ost
-ild
-ind
-olt
-old
Thinking Time
What was the most scary part of the story?
Visualize
Draw the bold child finding the old gold in the snow:
"The wild, kind, old ghost got a jolt!"
The Rule Keeper
The Old Mill Combined 2 The Old Mill
Reviewing all Closed Syllable Exceptions
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Behind the old mill, a kind child found a wild colt. The colt had a bolt of gold on its head.
The child had to hold the colt tight. "Do not be blind to the danger," told the man. The wind was cold.
Almost as fast as a jolt, the ghost of the mill sent a post. Most people do not mind, but the child felt a jolt. They found the gold coins in the fold of a coat.
Turn the page to finish the mill adventure!
Mill Activity
Write one word for each rule breaker ending:
-ost
-ild
-ind
-olt
-old
Thinking Time
What did the child find behind the mill?
"The wild, kind, old ghost got a jolt!"
Mill Rules
Exception Expert Answer Key Bundle Exception Expert Answer Key
Answer Guide for Syllable Rule Breaker Passages
-ost Passages
Ghost Post: post, host, almost, ghost, most
Lost Ghost: ghost, post, almost, most, host
-ind Passages
Kind Mind: find, kind, mind, grind
Blind Find: find, blind, mind, grind, kind, behind
-olt Passages
Bolt Jolt: colt, jolt, bolt
Fast Colt: colt, bolt, molt, jolt
-old Passages
Cold Gold: old, gold, told, cold, hold, fold, bold, sold
Bold Soldier: bold, told, gold, cold, scold, fold, hold, sold, old
-ild Passages
Wild Child: child, wild, mild
Mild Spring: mild, child, wild
Combined Passages
Grand Quest:
old, kind, wild, told, gold, find, post, bolt, jolt, almost, lost, cold, mind, hold, fold, most
Winter Gold:
cold, bold, child, find, gold, wild, kind, mind, told, hold, jolt, post, most, scary (adj), ghost, grind, colt, fold, old
Old Mill:
behind, old, kind, child, wild, colt, bolt, gold, hold, blind, told, cold, almost, jolt, ghost, post, most, mind, fold
Rule Breaker Writing Prompts Activity Rule Breaker Tales
Become an author using your long vowel rule breakers!
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
-ost
-ild
-ind
-olt
-old
Pick a Prompt:
"A ghost is hosting a wild party! What happens next?"
"You find an old chest of gold. Where is it hidden?"
"A kind child helps a fast colt. How do they escape?"
My Story
Draw a picture of your story
Goal: Use at least 5 Rule Breaker words!
Rule Breaker Word Sort Activity Rule Breaker Sort
Find the "Rule Breaker" words in the pool and sort them into their correct families.
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Word Pool
gold child most find jolt told wild post kind bolt hold mild host mind colt cold blind almost behind volt old ghost molt grind wildcat
-ost
-ild
-ind
-olt
-old
Challenge
Choose 3 words from your sort and use them together in one sentence!
