Reading Strategy
Follow these steps to read long words.
1 Look for the pattern of vowels and consonants in the middle of the word.
canyon There are 2 consonants between 2 vowels.
2 Blend the syllables together to read the word.
Reading Practice
Use what you learned to read the sentences.
1. About one hundred fifty years ago, California became the thirty-first state.
2. Adults and children traveled over 2,000 miles to build homes there.
3. They built cabins in the high mountains and in the low deserts.
4. They built farms all across the open lands.
5. They built cities near the lakes, the rivers, and along the coast.
6. Today, millions of people enjoy living in this sunny state.
Spelling Practice
7.–11. Now write the sentences that your teacher reads.
Word Work
12.–20. Read the newspaper article. Find all the words with two syllables. Make a chart. Write the words under the words with the same pattern.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| 12. | 15. | 18. |
| 13. | 16. | 19. |
| 14. | 17. | 20. |
12. essay