Presentation

  1. 1

    Bring the chalkboard, chalk, sponge, and a known sandpaper letter to the table.

  2. 2

    Trace the sandpaper letter and say its sound.

  3. 3

    Hold the chalk with the tripod grip and write the letter on the plain side of the board, saying the sound.

  4. 4

    Compare it with the sandpaper letter.

  5. 5

    Wipe the board with the damp sponge from top to bottom, left to right, then dry it with the cloth.

  6. 6

    Invite the child to write the letter several times across the board.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

  1. Writing a row of the same letter across the board
  2. Using the lined side to control letter height
  3. Writing a letter when the adult says a sound
  4. Writing short CVC words the child has built with the Moveable Alphabet

Control of error

The sandpaper letter for comparison; lines on the board show size.

Ready to move on when the child…

  • Writes known letters on the board in the correct direction
  • Keeps letters within the guide lines on the lined side
  • Cleans the board independently

Try “pink tower”, “tummy”, “diaper”, “grace and courtesy”, or “October”.