CHAPTER 4: LETTER KNOWLEDGE

Objectives

As a result of reading and studying this chapter students will be able to:

• Recognize that the efficient recognition of letter names is one of the best predictors of how readily a student will learn to read
• Compare the difficulty of linking the shapes and the names of the letters with learning the letter sounds
• Describe the sequence in which students appear to acquire letter knowledge
• Define letter-name iconicity
• Explain why handwriting practice is one way that young students learn to distinguish and recall letter shapes
• Explain why spending the same amount of instructional time on each letter ("letter of the week" approach) may not be effective
• Explain when and how letter knowledge should be assessed
• Describe intervention strategies for students who have difficulty with letter knowledge
• Apply effective instructional strategies for teaching letter names and shapes and letter sounds

Key Terms

• Iconic
• Letter-naming automaticity
• Manuscript letters

Assessment

Instructional PowerPoint