It actually helps me to teach them the alphabet song, making them sing it more and more slowly as we go along so they enunciate the letters. Then we will proceed to teach them the sounds in the “good guy, tough guy” manner of Mary Pecci.

Here’s a hint for vowels. I had taught them the “old McDonalds” tune of AEIOU for long vowels and the alphabet song for a-z letters. I taught the children a short vowel song at the same time as the alphabet song- with hand signs, which they loved. We would go aaaapple and hold our hand out like we were fixing to bite an apple. eeeegg and hold your hands out like you are showing them an Easter egg. iiiitchy and act like you are scratching. ooooctupus and hold out both hands with thumbs turned under, wiggling the eight fingers to represent the octopus legs, and pointing with my index finger, I say uuuup. Later I start doing this with only the short sounds and not the helper words. The hand motions help them remember the sounds. Then when we are sounding something out, if they forget or I want to help them remember I can make the motion and they will remember the short vowel sound!

Sincerely, julieA

rescued by Christ, lifted by Grace