Today’s teaching tip is primary geared toward kindergarten teachers… However, I bet that pre-k and first grade teachers will get a lot of use out of this one as well! And, it’s sad to say, but I wouldn’t be surprised if some 2nd and 3rd grade teachers needed this tip as well… especially if you work with ELL students or have ESE kiddos mainstreamed into your classroom. (My sister teaches 3rd grade and she called me just last week asking for some tips & tricks to help her ELL babies.) S0, here we go! Today I want to share my all time favorite strategy for teaching letter identification.
Spoiler Alert: It’s letter tracing.
If you aren’t familiar with this technique, stick with me. I was doubtful at first too.
If you have heard about this or tried it awhile ago but it’s not your go-to… Again, stick with me. I may make a believer out of you. (And I’ve got a great FREEBIE for you at the end of this ever-so-short-and-sweet post!)
Here is the low-down:
- It is Research Based. Jan Richardson has conducted much on the research the effects of using this strategy for Pre-A readers (or students who know less than 40 letters). Her research is widely accepted and supported. You can find more on her website. I highly recommend her book The Next Step Forward in Guided Reading. In this book goes into detail about this letter tracing routine and she gives you all the ins and outs that you will ever need for a quality guided reading program. I have been teaching Guided Reading for almost 15 years and I often teach with this book (open to the appendix) in my lap. It is that good. If you don’t have it you need it. (Affil. Link below)
- It is Easy. Letter tracing is and “individual intervention”. Meaning that you do it with one child at a time. You (the teacher) can sit with the student and do it. Or you can train someone else to do it. One of the great things about this is that it is very simple. Almost anyone can be trained to do it correctly. I have had parents, volunteers, hourly teachers, even 5th grade Honor Society students sit with my kindergarteners and trace with them.
- It is Fast. Students who know less than 10 letters should only trace the letters in their own name. Once they know 10 letters (quickly, out of order) then you begin tracing the entire booklet. Tracing the entire booklet should only take about 2-4 minutes. This is not the time to discuss the letters, allow for “think time” etc. The point of this activity is for fluid hand, eye, voice, brain coordination. If the student does not know the letter, simply tell them what it is and keep going.
- It Works. It is crazy how well it works. If you do this routine with fidelity (You have to do it everyday) The results are amazing. In our district the goal is to have all students identifying 40 letters by October and the vast majority of them make it. -Not everyone, of course… But we have kids that start with 0, 6, 10, 12 letters that know 40+ letters in October and are reading in March. Every year. It really works.
So, here is the basic run-down of how it works. You simply sit down with the student and go through the letter booklet page by page. The student traces each letter (using correct letter formation) while saying the letter out loud and then names the picture on the page. (“A, a, alligator. B, b, baby. C, c, caterpillar.”) If the student does not know the letter you simply tell them or model that page and keep them moving through the book. (Don’t stop, don’t break the pace etc.) If the student doesn’t use correct letter formation when tracing you take their hand and do it correctly using a hand-over-hand technique.
That’s it.
Easy-peasy.
And… even better… I made you an alphabet booklet so you can just print it out and start right away! (This does NOT need to be printed in color. It is fine if you want color. But Jan Richardson often uses back and white. She says the simpler the better. So keep it simple!)
You can get your FREE booklet below. Let me know what questions you have in the comments. I’m here to help.
En los últimos dos años, noviembre se ha caracterizado por la ocurrencia de fuertes aguaceros e inundaciones severas en todo el Gran Santo Domingo. En 2023 el récord de lluvia fue de 431 mm.
https://www.oneidauniversity.com/
Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views.
https://www.charlestonstateuniversity.com/
Deliciously tempting! Cookies Carts offers a mouthwatering array of flavorful treats. From classic chocolate chip to innovative creations, their selection satisfies every sweet tooth. With easy navigation and enticing visuals, their website is a dessert lover’s dream come true! For more please visit https://www.vapingcartstore.com/product/cookies-carts-for-sale-online/
cookies carts
https://cookiescartsla.com/
cookies carts for sale
buy cookies carts
buy cookies carts online
cookies thc carts
cookies cbd carts
cookies vape carts
Hello. This article was really remarkable, especially because I was investigating for thoughts on this topic last Tuesday. Elizabeth Gerek Conyers
Thanks a lot for the blog post. Really thank you! Really Great. Samantha Fowler Phillips
I conceive you have remarked some very interesting details, thanks for the post. Merilee Claybourne Jermaine
M. A. 2 exam kb se honge. 30/03/2020 se start the kya unhe bhi postpone ker diya gya h ya isi date per exam honge. Miguelita Brodie Waldos
Hello, of course this post is really fastidious and I have learned lot of things from it concerning blogging. thanks. Sallyanne Haydon Webber
Hi there to all, the contents present at this web page are actually amazing for people experience, well, keep up the nice work fellows. Sioux Elden Philomena
Hi, constantly i used to check weblog posts here in the early hours in the break of day, because i love to gain knowledge of more and more. Britteny Miles Ruthy
I see something truly interesting about your site so I bookmarked . Kissee Kalvin Marja
Yes! Finally something about bariatric step stool. Min Albrecht Allrud
Dead pent content , appreciate it for information . Lurette Marshall Lila
There is certainly a great deal to learn about this issue. I really like all the points you made. Valida Pavel Hephzipah
My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different website and thought I might check things out. Petronilla Hurley Lentha
Im grateful for the blog post. Much thanks again. Keep writing. Kissiah Jesse Krissy
Superb, what a web site it is! This web site presents helpful information to us, keep it up. Merola Ronny Kyd
My brother recommended I would possibly like this blog. Leontine Base Maxwell
Very few web-sites that take place to be detailed beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly very well really worth checking out. Kyle Chad Geraldine
I have recently started a site, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work. Janene Aldus Aidan
Finding the right blog hosting site and layout for your content is the most difficult part. Celie Roland Kerr
Your style is unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. Adara Tully Faust
Asking questions are in fact fastidious thing if you are not understanding anything fully, however this post presents good understanding yet. Willy Lawton Bartlett
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this
post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble.
You’re amazing! Thanks!