Letter of the Week

Each week in Area 3 we focus on a different letter of the alphabet. For some students this is only a review however correct formation of the letter is also part of the learning and for others this acts as an introduction to each letter. Although we don’t follow the Jolly Phonics program per say, we have been singing the songs and learning the actions designed for each letter according to the program. Practice work sheets are made available for students who wish to complete them however this is not a requirement.

Instead, what we engage in regularly as a class is “Chalk and Sock” time. During this time, every student is given their own chalk board along with a sock that holds a piece of chalk. Students hold the chalk in their writing hand and place the sock on their other hand, much as they would put on a mitten, and the sock acts as their eraser.

We start by singing the “If You’re Going to Write a Letter” song and then we practise forming the letter using our imaginary pencil (our index finger on our writing hand) to draw the letter in the air. Our song reminds us to always begin forming the letter at the top and then we try using the chalk on the boards that we have resting on our knee or on the floor in front of us. We look at the similarities and differences between capital and lower case letters and are reminded that names always begin with a capital letter.

Students who can identify the letters and can print them neatly using correct formation, are encouraged to use lower case letters except where capital letters are appropriate e.g. at the beginning of a name or sentence. They are also encouraged to think of words that begin with each letter as well as identify where they hear the letter in various words e.g. the beginning, middle or end of a word. Magnetic letters are also available for students to practise making words and word families based on the sounds we have learned.

Students who are just learning to identify and print a letter are given opportunities to feel how to form the letter in trays of salt and to practice tracing the letter using dry erase markers on laminated tracing sheets. As much as possible, one on one instruction is given to guide the correct formation of each letter.

Any opportunities to practise printing at home will be most helpful. Children generally enjoy writing their name as well as the names of their family members so that is a good place to start. Please know that writing from right to left and forming letters upside down and backwards are common mistakes at this age but gentle reminders will draw attention to such details and we will continue to work on this as a class throughout the year.

Words to the song “If You’re Going to Write a Letter”
(sung to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)

If you’re going to write a letter start at the top
If you’re going to write a letter start at the top
If you’re going to write a letter then you’d really, really better
If you’re going to write a letter start at the top