From FreeReading
What to do
- Write the letters {{{lettername}}} and {{{lowercaselettername}}} on the board; make them at least a foot tall. Alternatively, use letter cards large enough for the whole group to see easily.
- The sound for these two letters is the same. What's the sound for this letter? Point to the lowercase {{{lowercaselettername}}}. Good. So what's the sound for this letter? Point to the uppercase {{{lettername}}}. Right! This is called a capital letter. {{{soundreminder}}} Again: what's the sound?
- Look for students who are not saying the sound. Ask them: What's the sound? Look for students who are making the wrong sound and model the sound for them until they have it right. Well done everyone.
- We use the /{{{lettername}}}/ sound to begin words like {{{anchorwords}}}. Can you tell me some other words that begin with /{{{lettername}}}/?
- Erase {{{lettername}}} and {{{lowercaselettername}}}. Now write 12 letters on the board (arrange them randomly): 4 of the letters should be {{{lettername}}} and they should be interspersed with 8 other letters dissimilar in appearance to {{{lettername}}}, such as {{{diffletter1}}} and {{{diffletter2}}}. Don't include lowercase {{{lowercaselettername}}}.
- When I point to the letter we just learned, say its sound. When I point to any other letter, you have to stay quiet. My turn first. Point to a series of letters and either say the sound or make a performance of saying nothing, as appropriate.
- Your turn. Ready? Point to letters randomly, holding on each one for a few seconds.
- If a student says the sound for one of the other letters (not {{{lettername}}}), point to {{{lettername}}} and say: You only need to make a sound for this letter. When I point to any other letter, stay quiet. Ready? Look for individuals who are saying nothing when you point to {{{lettername}}}. Have those students try letters individually until they have it (but don’t call only on struggling students). Keep going until everyone has it.
Related activities