FLSZ Rule Teacher Guide UFLI Foundations • Lesson 42
FLSZ Rule Instructional Guide
4-Day Pacing Plan
Grade 1-2 • Phonics & Spelling
The FLSZ Spelling Principle (The 1-1-1 Doubling Rule)
In a 1-syllable base word, right after 1 short vowel , final /f/, /l/, /s/, and /z/ are spelled with double consonants: -ff , -ll , -ss , and -zz .
1
Day 1: Introduce Rule, Visual Drill & Sound Mapping
Approx. 30 Mins
Phonemic Awareness (3 min)
Teacher says words; students isolate final sound: cuff (/f/) , spill (/l/) , toss (/s/) , fizz (/z/) . Note that it is one phoneme spoken, but two letters written.
Visual & Blending Drill (5 min)
Review short vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and cards for ff , ll , ss , zz . Blend on board: cl-i-ff → cliff , b-e-ll → bell , m-i-ss → miss , b-u-zz → buzz .
Direct Instruction Routine: The "Double Shield" Metaphor
Teacher Script: "When a short vowel is all alone at the end before /f/, /l/, /s/, or /z/, it needs a buddy to protect its short sound! The letter doubles up to make a strong shield. We hear ONE sound, but write TWO identical letters."
Sound-to-Letter Elkonin Mapping (10 min)
Students tap sounds on sound boxes: c-l-i-ff (4 sounds, 5 letters: [c][l][i][ff]), f-i-zz (3 sounds, 4 letters: [f][i][zz]), d-r-e-ss (4 sounds, 5 letters: [d][r][e][ss]).
2
Day 2: Encoding Dictation & Decodable Read 1
Approx. 30 Mins
Dictation List (Word & Sentence)
Words: sniff, tell, mess, jazz, fluffDictation Sentence: The pup will sniff the grass. Check Routine: Check capitalization, spacing, doubling rule, punctuation.
Decodable Text 1: "Cliff and the Bell"
Echo Read: Teacher models fluent phrasing.Choral Read: Class reads together; underline -ff & -ll words.Partner Read: Whisper-read with reading partner.
Target High-Frequency Review: the, was, said, into, off, will
FLSZ Rule Teaching Guide • Day 1 & Day 2 Page 1 of 2
UFLI Foundations • Lesson 42
Days 3-4 Routines & Formative Assessment
Connected Text, Fluency & Exit Ticket
3
Day 3: Rapid Phrasing & Decodable Read 2
Approx. 30 Mins
Speed Word Ladders & Chains (6 min)
Chain on whiteboard: mass → pass → past (contrast!) → puff → cuff → cliff → cliff . Emphasize contrast between single-letter codas with consonant blends and pure FLSZ single consonants.
Decodable Text 2: "The Big Chess Match"
Focus on -ss and -ll words. Students independently whisper-read, box all FLSZ words, and answer text-dependent comprehension questions (literal recall & character action).
Dictation Sentence 2:
"Jeff fell on the wet moss, but he did not spill the milk."
4
Day 4: Decodable 3, Fluency Sprint & Exit Ticket
Approx. 35 Mins
Read 3: "The Buzz at the Mill"
Comprehensive passage incorporating all four patterns (-ff, -ll, -ss, -zz). Students read with expression, track with index finger, and complete text analysis questions.
1-Minute Fluency Check
Conduct individual 1-minute timing on the FLSZ Word Sprint sheet. Target: 30+ correct words per minute with ≥95% accuracy. Note errors by target pattern.
10-Word Mastery Exit Ticket
Administer teacher-dictated 10 words: cliff, sniff, spill, yell, moss, dress, buzz, fizz, stiff, puff . Evaluate adherence to FLSZ doubling vs. single consonant errors.
Common Misconceptions & Intervention Moves
Double Letters ≠ Double Sounds:
Students may try to pronounce two /f/ sounds. Remind: "One sound, two letters holding hands to shield the short vowel."
High Frequency Exceptions:
Explicitly point out irregular words that do NOT double: gas, bus, yes, if, of, us . Teach these as heart words.
FLSZ Rule Teaching Guide • Day 3 & Day 4 Page 2 of 2
FLSZ Rule Instructional Slides UFLI Foundations • Lesson 42
Phonics & Word Study
The FLSZ Rule
When do we double the consonant at the end of a word?
-ff -ll -ss -zz
FLSZ Rule Champions Double Letter Mystery Solved!
The Secret Code
The 3 Clues for Doubling
1
1 Syllable
The word is short with just one single beat !
2
1 Short Vowel
It has one short vowel : ă, ĕ, ĭ, ŏ, or ŭ!
3
Ends in F, L, S, Z
The final sound right after the short vowel is /f/, /l/, /s/, or /z/ !
All 3 clues true? Double the letter!
Word Families
The Double Consonant Squad
ff
cliff
sniff
puff
ll
bell
spill
hill
ss
pass
moss
dress
zz
buzz
fizz
jazz
Remember: Two letters on paper, but ONE sound in your ear!
Phoneme-Grapheme Mapping
Tap the Sounds, Write the Letters!
cliff
c
l
i
ff
4 sounds • 5 letters
buzz
b
u
zz
3 sounds • 4 letters
Both letters share ONE sound box because they spell one sound together!
Word Detective Challenge
Does It Follow the FLSZ Rule?
DOUBLE IT!
1 syllable + 1 short vowel + /f, l, s, z/
bell pass fizz
DO NOT DOUBLE!
Two vowels or consonant blends at end:
belt past seal
Always check: Is the short vowel right before the F, L, S, or Z?
Watch Out!
The Rule Breaker Heart Words
A few very common short words do NOT double. Learn them by heart!
bus
not buss
gas
not gass
yes
not yess
if
not iff
us
not uss
Keep these heart words in your memory bank!
Cliff and Bell Decodable Passage UFLI Lesson 42 • Decodable Read 1
Cliff and the Bell
Name:
Date:
Warm-Up Target Words (-ff & -ll)
Cliff hill puff sniff bell tell grass
Read 3 Times
1 Echo
2 Partner
3 Solo
Cliff is a fast pup. He ran up the tall, steep hill. The wind gave a big puff and blew his hat off into the tall grass. Cliff had to huff and puff to get to the top.
At the top, Cliff gave a sniff. What was that in the moss? It was a small brass bell! The bell fell off a red sled in the chill of winter.
Cliff gave the bell a tap with his paw. Ring! It was not dull. Cliff ran back down the hill to tell Jill. "Look at the bell!" barked Cliff with a wag of his tail. Jill gave Cliff a pat and said, "You did well, Cliff!"
FLSZ Word Hunt: Find and write 4 words from the story with double consonants (-ff, -ll, -ss).
Story Comprehension Questions
1. Where did Cliff run at the start of the story?
A. into a deep pond
B. up the tall hill
C. down into a cave
2. What did Cliff find when he gave a sniff in the moss?
3. Why did Jill say, "You did well, Cliff"?
FLSZ Rule Champions • Decodable Read 1 Target: -ff & -ll Doubling
Big Chess Match Decodable Passage UFLI Lesson 42 • Decodable Read 2
The Big Chess Match
Name:
Date:
Target Words (-ss & -ll Focus)
Tess Ross chess pass grass moss mess
Fluency Tally
1 Read 1
2 Read 2
3 Read 3
Tess and Ross sat on the soft grass next to a big rock with green moss. They set up a set of chess. Tess had the black chess men, and Ross had the white chess men.
"Will you make a quick pass?" asked Ross. Tess did not miss a turn. She slid her king across the board. A bee gave a loud buzz, and Ross gave a jump! His hand hit the board, and the pieces fell into a big mess.
"Do not fret," said Tess with a grin. "We will pick up the mess and set the chess men back up." Ross was glad Tess was not mad. They reset the game and played until the dinner bell rang.
Rule Detective: Why does the word "chess" end with double 's'?
Write the rule reason: It has syllable, short vowel, and ends with the // sound!
Comprehension Check
1. What game did Tess and Ross play on the grass?
A. tag
B. chess
C. golf
2. Why did the chess pieces fall into a mess?
3. How did Tess react when the board fell over?
FLSZ Rule Champions • Decodable Read 2 Target: -ss & -ll Doubling
Buzz at Mill Decodable Passage UFLI Lesson 42 • Decodable Read 3
The Buzz at the Mill
Name:
Date:
Cumulative Review (-ff, -ll, -ss, -zz)
Jeff mill buzz fizz moss cliff spill
Fluency Tally
1 Read 1
2 Read 2
3 Read 3
Jeff went on a walk past the big cliff. He took his small pup, Russ. They crossed a log covered in thick green moss and walked up to the old water mill.
Inside the mill, water fell over a big wooden wheel with a splash. Then Jeff heard a loud sound. Buzz! Fizz! It was a big bumblebee trapped near the glass of the window. Russ gave a loud yuff and began to sniff the sill.
"Do not mess with the bee, Russ!" yelled Jeff. "It will sting you!" Jeff grabbed a stiff piece of cardboard. He let the bee step on it and pushed the window open. With a swift flick, the bee flew off into the grass. Jeff and Russ rang the mill bell with a big grin.
FLSZ Sort: Find one word from the story for each double-letter ending.
-ff
-ll
-ss
-zz
Comprehension Check
1. What was trapped near the window inside the mill?
A. a frog
B. a bumblebee
C. a small duck
2. Why did Jeff tell Russ not to mess with the bee?
3. How did Jeff safely rescue the bee?
FLSZ Rule Champions • Decodable Read 3 Cumulative Review: All FLSZ Patterns
FLSZ 10 Word Fluency Check UFLI Foundations • Lesson 42 Fluency & Meaning
FLSZ 10-Word Fluency Check
Student:
Date:
Examiner:
Assessment Protocol: 1. Probe 10 target words (3 trials). 2. Time 1-minute passage read (mark errors /; bracket ] at 60s).
Benchmark: 30+ WCPM
Part 1: 10 Target FLSZ Words (Rapid Automatic Recognition Probe)
Record seconds & errors per trial
1. cliff
2. bell
3. pass
4. buzz
5. sniff
6. spill
7. moss
8. fizz
9. dress
10. puff
Trial 1 (Cold): ____ s | Err: ___
Trial 2 (Practice): ____ s | Err: ___
Trial 3 (Speed): ____ s | Err: ___
Part 2: Oral Reading Passage • The Big Race to the Mill
128 Total Words • Cumulative counts on right
Cliff and Ross ran up the steep hill to have a fast race. [13]
A sudden puff of wind blew their red caps off into the grass. [25]
"Do not stop to look!" yelled Ross as he dashed past a tree. [38]
His quick pup gave a sniff in the wet green moss by the rock. [52]
Meg had to pass the old wood shop in her bright red dress . [65]
Jeff sat by the deep brick well and gave the brass bell a ring. [79]
A big yellow bee gave a loud buzz near the glass window. [91]
Ross had to duck so he did not slip and fall in the mud. [105]
At the finish, they drank cold pop with lots of fizz . [116]
Both kids cheered and were glad they did not spill a drop! [128]
Oral Reading Fluency Record Criteria: 10 Words (≥9/10) • Passage (≥95% Accuracy)
10-Word Probe
___ / 10
Words Attempted
____
Errors
____
WCPM
____
Accuracy Rate
____ %
Prosody (1-4): 1 (Word) 2 (Phrases) 3 (Smooth) 4 (Expressive)
Pattern Errors: -ff: ___ -ll: ___ -ss: ___ -zz: ___
FLSZ Rule Champions • 10-Word Fluency Check & 128-Word Passage Page 1 of 2 • Turn for Comprehension Questions
UFLI Foundations • Lesson 42 Comprehension
Text Comprehension Check
FLSZ Mastery Exit Ticket UFLI Lesson 42 • Formative Assessment
FLSZ Rule Exit Ticket
Name:
Date:
Score: ___ / 10
Remember: 1 syllable + 1 short vowel + /f, l, s, z/ → Double the consonant! -ff • -ll • -ss • -zz
Part 1: 10 FLSZ Spelling Words (Map the sounds, then write the word) Double letters share the final box!
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Part 2: Sentence Dictation Teacher dictates one sentence
Capital letter Finger spaces FLSZ words doubled Period / punctuation
Self-Check: How confident do you feel with the FLSZ doubling rule?
😊 I got it! 😐 Almost there 🤔 Need help
FLSZ Rule Champions • 10-Word Exit Ticket Target Words: cliff, bell, pass, buzz, sniff, spill, moss, fizz, dress, fluff
