Reading Readiness TG - Book - Page 8
Holding the pencil
The correct way to hold a pencil is as follows:
1. Place the index finger on top of the pencil, about 2 cm above the tip.
2. Place the thumb on the side of the pencil, NOT over the other fingers.
3. Tuck the other three fingers under the pencil.
Drawing the basic shapes used in producing English letters
Students will do a variety of activities to learn to recognize and write the basic shapes and
letters of the English alphabet.
Practicing reading and writing English from left to right
Students must become aware that English is read and written from left to right and from
the top of the page to the bottom. Exercises and activities are provided to teach correct
directionality.
2. Writing the Letters
The letters are learned by looking at them, manipulating the shapes of each letter, tracing
letters over dotted lines, and drawing letters without cues. Students play recognition
games and make letters with their bodies and with materials such as plasticine, pipe
cleaners and Shape Cards (see page 55 for Shape Cards).
The letters are taught in groups according to the shapes of the letters: First the small and
then the capital versions of each letter. Exercises give practice in discriminating between
similar-looking letters.
3. Naming the Letters and Alphabetical Order
As students learn to write both the small and capital letters, they also learn the letter
names. The Poster showing the letters in alphabetical order is used regularly and students
will be able to sing the ABC Song.
4. Sound-Letter Connections (Phonics)
The sound of each letter will be taught using basic English words that students already
know and which are appropriate for their age and learning level.
Note: The letters ‘c’, ‘g’, ‘y’, and the vowels have more than one sound, yet in this
program:
• only the short vowel sounds will be introduced.
• only the hard sounds of the letters ‘c’ = /k/ and ‘g’ = /g/ will be taught.
• only the /y/ sound of the letter ‘y’ like in the word 'yellow' will be taught.
6
