How We Build Letter Recognition Through Meaningful Practice

Giulietta learning her letters using her laminated cards.

Developing Literacy Skills

Giulietta’s goal is to develop literacy skills by focusing on letter identification, both uppercase and lowercase, through engaging activities that build on her interests. Her letter identification journey incorporates learning apps, personalized materials, and real-world community experiences. The goal is to build foundational literacy skills while keeping Giulietta engaged, motivated, and excited to continue learning.

Our Go-To Apps:

• Proloquo

• IXL

• EndlessReader

• TinyTap

Letter Recognition Exercises

Our primary approach is one-on-one teaching using customized materials, such as laminated letters and words for Giulietta to spell. Sessions begin with a visual of a letter or word, and Giulietta is asked to identify or spell it using her iPad or physical materials. By repeating these activities, she strengthens her understanding of each letter and word. Feedback is provided to correct mistakes and reinforce correct answers. This practice helps her recognize, match, and spell letters and words more efficiently. Giulietta is encouraged to start each day with spelling and letter activities.

Learning Through Books

We incorporate Giulietta's favourite books, like Pete the Cat, by practicing spelling words and identifying the letters needed to spell words and create sentences. Integrating characters and storylines makes the learning process more engaging and meaningful for her. For example, while reading Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes, we engage Giulietta in discussions about the story to build comprehension and expressive language skills. We explore questions like, “Who do you think stole the cupcakes?” and encourage her to make predictions. Pete the Cat: The Perfect Pizza Party is also a perfect for reinforcing vocabulary related to food and different pizza toppings. While reading this part of the book, we focus on words like “cheese,” “pepperoni,” “mushrooms,” and “olives.” As we go through the toppings mentioned in the story, we engage Giulietta by asking her questions like, “What do you like on your pizza?” or “Do you like mushrooms on pizza?” This encourages her to express herself while connecting the story’s vocabulary to her own preferences.

Spelling and Letter Identification

Giulietta will be encouraged to identify and point to each letter as the word is spelled out loud, helping her connect the letters to the words. To make the activity more interactive, laminated letter cards can be used, allowing Giulietta to physically arrange the letters to form the words she is learning. Additionally, leaving certain letters missing from the pizza topping words and prompting Giulietta to fill in the blanks, reinforcing her letter recognition and spelling skills.

Word Creation and Sentence Building

Giulietta will practice creating simple sentences using the words she learns from books like Pete the Cat: The Perfect Pizza Party to help her understand sentence structure and reinforce sight word recognition. After identifying and spelling a list of words, Giulietta will be encouraged to create simple sentences using those words. For example, she could form sentences like, "I like to eat pizza," or "I like cheese on my pizza." To support her, verbal prompts can be used to help her organize the words into a sentence. Giulietta will be encouraged to repeat and rephrase her sentences, increasing her confidence with each new attempt.

Learning Through Music:

Giulietta will enhance her letter recognition and spelling skills by listening to her favourite songs, such as those by Taylor Swift and “sugar” by Maroon 5, practicing letter identification in song titles and lyrics, and incorporating music into her learning experience.

1. Select Giulietta’s Favourite Songs: Identify a list of Giulietta’s favourite songs, such as Taylor Swift (e.g., "Shake It Off" or "Love Story") and Maroon 5’s "Sugar."

2. Letter Recognition in Song Titles: Start by writing the song titles on the second iPad  and encourage Giulietta to copy the letters onto her iPad keyboard.

3. Identify Words/Letters in Song Lyrics: Play parts of the songs and ask Giulietta to focus on identifying specific letters to finish spelling the lyrics. For example, pause a song before the chorus starts and work with Giulietta to spell 1-5 words to continue the song.

4. Song-Based Spelling Practice: Encourage Giulietta to spell out words from the song titles and lyrics. After identifying a few words, such as “sugar,” have her practice spelling each word using the letters she’s learned on her iPad keyboard. Reinforce the connection between the letters and the words in the song.

Food-Based Letter Learning

Giulietta will enhance her letter recognition skills by connecting letters to real-world experiences, particularly through her love of food. She will identify and match letters in food packaging, create grocery lists, and engage in cooking activities that reinforce letter recognition.

1. Identify Letters in Food Packaging: Encourage Giulietta to look for familiar letters on food packages around the house and at the grocery store. For example, she can identify “S” on spinach, “P” on pickle jars, or “C” for cake. Point out the letters and have her name them on her iPad, reinforcing her recognition.

   
   

2. Match Letters to Favourite Foods: Create a list of Giulietta’s favourite foods and help her match them with the corresponding first letter. For instance, “S” for spinach, “P” for pickles, “C” for cake, and “W” for watermelon. Write down the words and encourage her to say the beginning letter.

   
   

3. Create Grocery Lists: Work with Giulietta to create simple grocery lists that include her favourite foods, practicing letter recognition as you write them down together on Word.