Objectives:
Children will learn that the sound /?/ and /?/ go with the letter A.
Children will recognize the same beginning sounds for the letter A.
Children will identify words that start with the letter A.
Instructions:
Because vowels make both a short and a long sound, each tongue twister and booklet includes both vowel sounds. You may want to reintroduce the two key sounds for the letter at the start of the vowel lesson.
Letter Chant
- Use the Apple Annie puppet pointer during the letter chant.
- Point to posted picture cards or hold up pictures during the letter chant to reinforce word meanings.
- Emphasize the letter A sound at the beginning of the words.
- Write the letter chant on chart paper and model one-to-one correspondence between voice and print by pointing to each word as the chant is recited.
The letter chant can be used before, during, or after any lesson to reinforce the sound of the letter.
Short A
Apple begins with the letter A. (Make the letter A sign language sign.)
A sounds like /?/ as in apple.
Can you hear it /?/, can you hear it /?/? (Use hand to cup ear to pantomime listening.)
/?/, /?/, /?/
Alligator begins with A. (Make the letter A sign language sign.)
A sounds like /?/ as in alligator.
Can you hear it /?/, can you hear it /?/? (Use hand to cup ear to pantomime listening.)
/?/, /?/, /?/
Long A
Ape begins with A. (Make the letter A sign language sign.)
A sounds like /?/ as in ape.
Can you hear it /?/, can you hear it /?/? (Use hand to cup ear to pantomime listening.)
/?/, /?/, /?/
Acorn begins with A. (Make the letter A sign language sign.)
A sounds like /?/ as in acorn.
Can you hear it /?/, can you hear it /?/? (Use hand to cup ear to pantomime listening.)
/?/, /?/, /?/
Activities:
Letter Booklet
Look at the letter booklet together with children and read the text, emphasizing the beginning sound of the letter A. Sing the following song for each picture on the page:
(Tune: Farmer in the Dell)
Apple (replace with picture name) begins with /?/.
Apple begins with /?/.
/?/, /?/ can you hear?
Apple begins with /?/.
Print out the Letter A booklet printables for each child. Let children color the pictures. Assemble booklets and staple together. Children can share the booklets with family members.
Tip: If your focus is on the short letter A sound, print only the pages with the short letter A sound.
Tongue Twister
Display the tongue twister poster on the board. Look at the poster together with children and let them discuss the picture.
Write the tongue twister on the board or on chart paper. This will expose children to print and encourage them to read along.
Tell children that you will read the tongue twister to them and that they should clap their hands if they hear the letter A sound at the beginning of a word. Read the tongue twister to children emphasizing the sound of the letter A.
Ask children to identify the words that begin with the sound of the letter A. Underline the letters.
Encourage children to read or say the tongue twister together with you. Practice reading until children can recite the tongue twister together.
Hand out tongue twister worksheet printout to children and let them circle the letter A in each word and add a simple drawing to the page.
Words that Begin with A
Recite the rhyme below together and let children pretend to be ants. Let children make antennae by placing both their index fingers on top of their head each time they hear or say a word that begins with the letter A.
Variation: Have children lift their letter puppet in the air each time they hear or say a word that begins with the letter A.
Write letter A words on the board and point to each word while reciting the rhyme.
Place flashcards on the board and point to each picture while reciting the rhyme.
For Words that Begin with A
by Jolanda Garcia
For words that begin with A, (Make ASL sign for the letter A.)
Let's all be ants and say,
/?/ is for ape, apron, and acorn.
/?/ is for apple, ant, and alligator.
Say, "Hurray! I'll see you later."
