Handwriting Without Tears

    Children are already making progress with the Handwriting Without Tears program! I love that we get to spend a whole week on each letter. This has really helped children truly understand what they need to know about each letter. As you know, we started with the letter L. We introduced this letter by having children find an object that begins with the letter L to put inside their Alphabet Bag. Children came back with lots of good examples of objects that begin with L. Some of the objects included a lollipop, lego, licorice, ladybug, lamb, lantern, and much more! After sharing our items, children practiced saying /L/ sound. I read out word cards and had children decipher by the beginning sound of each word whether or not it began with the letter L. Children also went on scavenger hunt in the classroom to look for objects that begin with the letter L. I had to give them a couple hints but they came back with the right objects. :-)
    On Tuesday, our Tuesday/Thursday friends shared their letter bags. Then children began working on an exercise where they trace the upper case and lower case l and then circle the letter L in various words such as ladybug and lollipop. Children learned letter L by making a 'big line' down and 'small line' across. Children did need some extra guidance with this exercise. Luckily, I had a small enough class size to support their learning. On Wednesday, students who did not do the letter L exercise did at this time. Also, children began forming the letter using play dough to form the letter.
    During circle time on Thursday and Friday children came up two at a time to write the uppercase and lower case L. All children were able to write the letter. As a center I put out various alphabet letters where children were to look for the letter L. This week we are starting letter F! Coincidently we are also doing a theme on Fire Safety. :-)