LA 3.05Sand Tray Tracing
The child traces a sandpaper letter and then forms the same letter with a finger in a shallow tray of sand.
Age 3½–4½Work 5 of 7 in Writing Preparation
Presentation
- 1
Bring a known sandpaper letter and the sand tray to the table.
- 2
Trace the sandpaper letter and say its sound.
- 3
Using the same two fingers, write the letter in the sand, saying the sound.
- 4
Compare the sand letter with the sandpaper letter.
- 5
Gently shake the tray side to side to smooth the sand.
- 6
Invite the child to trace, write in the sand, and smooth the tray.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Writing a letter in the sand when the adult says a sound (no sandpaper letter visible)
- Writing two or three letters in a row in the sand
- Writing a short CVC word in the sand
Control of error
The sandpaper letter placed next to the tray for comparison.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Writes known letters in the sand in the correct direction
- Writes a letter from its spoken sound without looking at the sandpaper letter