The Alphabet

The English language is based on the alphabetic principle. This video explains what the alphabetic principle is and that it refers to how the letters of our language map on to sounds and combine in a particular sequence.

Letter formation in cursive and print is demonstrated, paying attention to the beginning point and the direction of the strokes composing the letter. Several activities are suggested to promote visual discrimination and fine motor control.

Some letters are pronounced using vibrations of the vocal cords and others are not. Vibration of the vocal cords produces noisy letters and without the vibration the letters are quiet.

Learn when “s” is quiet and when “s” is noisy.

Special consideration should be given to the letter “x” as it is pronounced with two phonemes /k/ and /s/. This video shows a teacher and student learning about “x”.

Another special letter is “y” as it can be pronounced in four different ways depending on whether it occurs in initial, medial or final position. The position also determines its performance as a vowel or consonant. The video explains how to use “y”.

Modilfying Letters
“L” & “W”

View this video to learn how these letters modify the vowels that precede it.
The L Effect and W Effect are explained with examples.

The letters “c” and “g” have alternative pronunciations when followed by e, I and y. View this video to find out how to introduce these patterns to students.

Two adjacent letters that make one sound are called digraphs. The video teaches the common and rare digraphs consisting of two consonants.

Some vowel sounds are made by sliding or gliding from one vowel sound to another. These graphemes are grouped according to the means of production and pronunciation. The video explains which vowel combinations are diphthongs.

When “r” follows a vowel, vowel team or occurs in a VCe syllable, this letter can modify the vowel sound. This video will teach you to recognize the three types of R-controlled syllable.

The most common vowel sound is the schwa, which occurs in unstressed syllables. Any vowel or vowel combination can be pronounced with the schwa. Learn that there is some predictability when spelling syllables with a schwa.