- marker
- paper
- tape
- word cards (with and without "y")
MA Standards:
Foundational Skills/RF.PK.MA.1: With guidance and support, demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of printed and written text: books, words, letters, and the alphabet
Head Start Outcomes:
Literacy Knowledge/Alphabet Knowledge: Recognizes that the letters of the alphabet are a special category of visual graphics that can be individually named.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
English Language Arts/Reading and Literature 7: Develop familiarity with the forms of alphabet letters, awareness of print, and letter forms.
Learn About Letters Together: Words with ("y")
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
ELA Focus Skills: Letter Recognition, Speaking and Listening, Vocabulary
Display the pile of word cards. Tell children they will take turns turning over cards and identifying the letter "y." Explain that not all the word cards have words with the letter "y."
- Tape two sheets of paper to the floor. Mark a large "y" on one sheet and leave one sheet blank.
- Explain to children that they are to place their word card on one of the two sheets of paper. Say, If your word has a "y" in it, then place your word on the "y." If there is not a letter "y" in your word, then place it on the blank paper.
- Read each word as children turn over the cards.
- You may want to play a few rounds with children by shuffling and turning the cards over again after the first round.
Educator Tip: Guided and independent letter, sound, and word practice continues to take place in center activities. It is helpful to set up the literacy center immediately after the direct instruction and repeat instruction before children work in the literacy center identifying letters.