Short A

Display the Short A Poster. Show the letter puppet.

Hi, I’m Apple Annie and I want you to meet the letter A. The letter A can make different sounds at the beginning of words. Today I will teach you the short A sound. The letter A can sound like /?/ in words like "apple" and "alligator."

Display the pictures. The word “apple” begins with the /?/ sound. Watch my mouth as I say /?/. Now let’s say it together: /?/. The words "apple" and "alligator" begin with the same sound: /?/. Let's repeat the sound together: /?/.

Ask children to brainstorm a list of additional words that begin with the short A sound. Repeat the words by emphasizing the beginning sound and write the words on the board while underlining the letter a.

Short Aa: astronaut, acrobat, add, after, animal, ask, as, at, etc.

Teach children the letter chant and the ASL sign for the letter A.
Note: We integrate the American Sign Language as a visual and kinesthetic support to teach letter recognition.

Letter Chant:
Let’s say a chant together for the short A sound as in "apple" and "alligator."

"Apple" begins with the letter A. (Make the letter A sign language sign.)
“A” sounds like /?/ in "apple."
Can you hear it /?/, can you hear it /?/? (Use hand to cup ear to pantomime listening.)
/?/, /?/, /?/

"Alligator" begins with the letter A. (Make the letter A sign language sign.)
“A” sounds like /?/ in "alligator."
Can you hear it /?/, can you hear it /?/? (Use hand to cup ear to pantomime listening.)
/?/, /?/, /?/

Repeat with other short A words.

Point to the uppercase and lowercase letter A on the Short A Poster.

This is the uppercase letter A. 
Let children describe the letter's shape and write the letter in the air.

This is the lowercase letter a. 
Let children describe the letter's shape and write the letter in the air.