FLSZ Doubling Anchor Chart
UFLI Phonics Helper • Spelling Rule
The F L S Z Doubling Rule
Remember with: Floss, Love, Smile, Zap! • “Sammy Loves Fried Zebras”
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When Do We Double the Letter?
Check All 3 Clues
Clue 1
1 Syllable
A short word with only one clap
ă ĕ ĭ
Clue 2
1 Short Vowel
Has a short sound: a, e, i, o, u
Clue 3
Ends in F, L, S, Z
Comes right after the vowel
If all 3 Clues are YES → Double the letter! Write ff, ll, ss, or zz
ff
/f/ sound
cliff
puff
sniff
off
ll
/l/ sound
bell
hill
doll
shell
ss
/s/ sound
grass
dress
miss
glass
zz
/z/ sound
buzz
fizz
jazz
fuzz
Word Detective: Double or Single?
Test every clue before you write!
Word: “cliff” Double It!
- 1 Syllable? Yes (1 clap)
- Short Vowel? Yes (short /ĭ/)
- Ends in F right after vowel? Yes
Correct: c - l - i - ff
Word: “leaf” Do Not Double!
- 1 Syllable? Yes (1 clap)
- Short Vowel? NO (Long /ē/ vowel team)
- Missing a clue! Keep letter single
Correct: l - e - a - f (Not “leaff”)
Watch Out for Rule Breakers!
Memorize These
These common sight words follow their own rules and keep a single letter:
bus gas yes this us if of
Golden Rule: 1 Syllable + 1 Short Vowel + Ends in F, L, S, Z → Double It!
UFLI Foundations