Double Final Consonants - What They Are and How to Teach Them (2024)

So many teachers overlook teaching double final consonants because, as advanced readers, we find words with double final consonants easy to read.

While double final consonants may not be extremely tricky, like CVCe, they still need to be taught explicitly to our students.

(For more about teaching phonics explicitly and systematically, see this blog post about the right way to teach phonics.)

What are Double Final Consonants?

Double final consonants are an English phonics spelling rule that teaches us that usually, when a word has one syllable with one short vowel and ends in /s/, /l/, /f/, or /z/, the final consonant will be doubled.

This rule may be simple, but I think we need more of that in the English language, right?🤪

Teaching the double final consonants spelling rule increases the reading and spelling vocabulary of students without having to teach them new sounds.

Talk about setting them up for success! YAY!

Here are some examples of words with double final consonants.

Notice that all of these words have one syllable, which means one vowel sound.

These words also end in the following sounds: /f/, /l/, /s/, /z/.

Examples

When should I teach Double Final Consonants?

I recommend that you teach double final consonants after teaching letter sounds and digraphs, but before teaching blends.

Remember, this spelling rule doesn’t require any new sounds to be taught, but increases their ability to decode and encode (spell/write) new words. 🙌🏼

P.S. You can see and download my complete phonics scope and sequence here.

How do I teach Double Final Consonants?

There are many ways to teach double final consonants. However, we want to keep in mind that we should be as explicit as possible.

That means that we should teach our students with the same definition that I gave you above.

Double final consonants are an English phonics spelling rule that teaches us that usually, when a word has one syllable with one short vowel and ends in /s/, /l/, /f/, or /z/, the final consonant will be doubled.

Then, I personally like to share a fun way they can remember the rule.

I love the popular mnemonic: Sammy Loves Friendly Zebras

Although we do not see words with double final consonants in that sentence, we remember that when a one syllable word with one vowel sound ends in s, l, f, or z, [Sammy Loves Friendly Zebras] the final consonant is doubled.

You can even have your students make their own illustration of Sammy Loves Friendly Zebras, and then write example words to go with it. My students LOVE doing this.

Free Videos for Teaching Double Final Consonants

You know that I love using videos to enhance phonics instruction and review! Here are some free videos you can use to supplement your double final consonants lesson.

The Floss Rule

Remember how I mentioned there are multiple ways to teach the double final consonants spelling rule?

Many teachers like to call it the “floss” rule.

I like this one, but it leaves out z. For this reason, I prefer to use Sammy Loves Friendly Zebras.

However, this floss rule video does a great job at explaining and showing the double final consonant spelling rule.

Alphablocks always engage young learners! In this video, they will practice reading and spelling words with double final consonants.

Resources for Teaching Double Final Consonants

Printable Resources

Are you looking for printable resources for teaching double final consonants?

Check out my free double final consonants word listbelow!

I have the Sammy Loves Friendly Zebras poster included in my Phonics Rules Posters set. It comes in both color and black and white.

Give your students plenty of practice blending and reading words with double final consonants with these best-selling blend and read double final consonant worksheets!

Digital Resources

As so many teachers and students are finally heading back to school in person, remember that digital resources are NOT confined to virtual learning.

Boom cards are an amazing way to incorporate centers, 1-on-1 practice, small group practice, and even homework into your in-person learning. (Read more about Boom Cards here.)

I have three different sets of Boom Cards for double final consonants.

Here, students practice blending and reading words with double final consonants.

In this set, students practice building words with double final consonants.

I LOVE these Boom Cards because it requires students to read words with double final consonants in the context of a sentence.

These three resources are meant to provide the ultimate double final consonant instruction and practice when used together.

Want to try the Boom Cards?

Click here for a PLAYABLE preview of ALL the Double Final Consonant Boom Cards!

Psst…You can get ALL three sets of double final consonant Boom cards in this money-saving bundle!

Free Double Final Consonant Word List

Would you like a list of decodable words with double final consonants to help you in your double final consonant lessons and practice?

Enter your email below and download it right away!

How do you teach double final consonants? Do you have any tips or tricks to share? Share them with us in the comments below! 👇🏼