T’s Verbal Path

The letter t is one of the most popular letters in the English language. In the first sentence the letter t was used 9 times. Looking again the letter t was used 5 times in the second. The letter is all over, in most sentences. So since it is used so frequently, let's make sure we teach our students the letter t.

When we teach the letter, we want our students to know that letters have a name. The also make a sound. T is a great example. Say the letter's name -T. Now practice the sound /t/. Remember don't add the 'ah' when you say the /t/ sound.

If you were to give your students an abc chart or blocks with letters on them, or an abc line, your students should be able to point to the letter t when you ask "show me the /t/ sound" or when you say "point to the letter t." Our students need to have the foundation of knowing a letter has a name and a sound.

Then make sure your students know how to communicate it. The symbol for the /t/ sound is a stick drawn down and then another stick that goes across and is a little shorter. The verbal path we say is 1. "line down" 2. "Cross". Model it. Show it and always explain to your students where it is and how it looks. Have students draw it in the air, on their shoes, on the walls, on the ground and of course on paper! Over and over and over- line down, cross.

Drawing the letter t is very important. It is the foundation of how a lot of letters will be written. t,r,i,p,d,f,g,h,j,k,l,b,n,m all some what have this idea of a stick in them. This stick idea is rooted from the letter t, which this letter is used more than the l so we teach it first! My final thought is ditch capitals... teach lower case first.