The CUBS Strategy

Some syllables hold meaning, others do not.  Affixes are an example of syllables that hold meaning. There are two types of affixes called prefixes and suffixes.  They hold meaning and are added to either the beginning or end of a base or root word. Some affixes are closed syllables (un, mis) and some are open syllables (re, ly).  Many multisyllabic words include affixes and as we know, when struggling readers come across a multisyllabic word, they often give up.  The CUBS strategy is designed to give readers a tool for attacking a multisyllabic word with affixes.

CUBS is an acronym that stands for circle the affixes, underline the base or root, blend the parts together, and say the word.  In the beginning, I actually have students read with a pencil in hand to physically complete the steps.  Once they gain automaticity, I have students cover the affixes with their fingers, read the base or root and then add the affixes to read the entire word.  Finally, the students are able to mentally complete the process without using a pencil or their fingers.

Of course, CUBS is not the only acronym that exists to give students a memory tool for word attack.  However, the cute bear and it's paws work particularly well for the students I work with.  I post a picture of the bear and refer to it when a student is struggling to decode an unfamiliar word.  I have even heard students say, "Oh, I can CUBS this."