Letters

Letters are the basic graphic unit that are combined to form words. There are 26 letters in English, with each occurring in an upper- and lower-case format.

Print references that elicit discussions around letters:

“Point to the T.”
“What are the names of these letters?”
“See if you can find an upper-case letter on this page.”
“This letter is the first letter in your name!”

Letter Targets

Metalinguistic Concept of Letter

Metalinguistic Concept of Letter
Knowledge about the functions of letters (i.e., what letters do)

Letter Names

Letter Names
Knowledge of the names and written symbols for the individual letters

Upper and Lower Case Forms

Upper- and Lower-Case Forms

Knowledge that letters come in two forms and there are rules regarding when to use these forms (e.g., proper names are capitalized)

Target Examples

The STAR cards help guide you by providing examples for how to discuss specific print target within the context of the book you are reading.

Target: Metalinguistic Concept of Letter

Target: Metalinguistic Concept of Letter

Teacher: The word “jungle” starts with the letter J. Jacob knows this because it’s the first letter in his name! What other words do you know that start with the letter J?

Target: Letter Names

Target: Letter Names

Teacher: This is the letter A (points to the A). This is the letter B (points to B). Who can show me where the A is?

Target: Upper and Lower Case Forms

Target: Upper- and Lower-Case Forms

Teacher: This is an upper-case letter.

Child: Where?

Teacher: Here, give me your finger (takes child’s finger and places it on an upper-case letter). This is an upper-case letter. It is an upper-case I.

Educator Resources

LETTERS