How to Read a Graph Alphabet-Style

A visual alphabet chart helps children identify letters.

In a kindergarten classroom you can expect to see an alphabet chart on the wall written on graph style paper, large enough to be seen from the back of the room. The chart functions as a tool for both teachers and students. Teachers use the alphabet chart as a resource tool to help children identify letters and their corresponding sounds. Children refer to the chart as they become familiar with forming words and developing their writing skills.

Instructions

1. Read out loud the first letter on the alphabetized chart, "A." Say the long sound of "A." Pronounce the long sound of the letter the same way as the letter itself. Pronounce the short sound of "A" as in "bad" or "cat." Repeat the process until you become comfortable with the sound.

2. Continue to the next letter moving horizontally across the top row. Read out loud the letter, "B." Use just your lips to make the sound of the letter "B" without adding an "uh" sound at the end from your voice. Say the sounds, "b, a, t," instead of, "buh, aah, tuh."

3. Continue to read each letter on the chart, moving in a horizonal direction from left to right. Move to the first letter of the next row when you reach the end of the top row and continue across until you reach the end of the chart.

Tips & Warnings

• In addition to kindergarten students discovering the alphabet for the first time, the alphabet chart helps set the foundation for students learning English as a second language. The chart helps teachers explain to students, errors in their pronunciation. It helps students learn how to break down sounds to learn phonetics. The visual effect helps students remember spelling. The chart also helps students learn to use the dictionary. A large alphabet chart on graph style format with pictures helps a preschool child associate the letter with a picture. For entertainment, you can read the chart with a singalong exercise.

• When teaching the alphabet, show children that they should pronounce both the upper and lower case letters the same. Avoid refering to the lower case sounds as "baby sounds," or children might show embarrassment to use the sounds and will only use the letter names. (See Resource 1)

References

• Succeed to Read: Teach A Child to Read
• Say-It-In-English.com: Lesson 7: Pronouncing the English Letters
• Billings Public Schools: Alphabet Charts