Letters Cc-Dd Recognition, Tracing and Right-to-Left Curves for Pre-School Level 3

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 2
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Literacy
Curriculum Theme: Letter Work
Previous Lesson: Recognition and tracing of previous alphabet letters and basic pre-writing patterns.
Topic: LETTERS CC-DD: RECOGNITION, TRACING AND RIGHT-TO-LEFT CURVES
Subject Matter: Identifying letters of alphabets Cc – Dd. Making patterns. Recognition and pronunciation of the letters Cc and Dd. Tracing of letters Cc & Dd. Making curves from right to left.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify uppercase ‘C’ and lowercase ‘c’ when seen.
• Identify uppercase ‘D’ and lowercase ‘d’ when seen.
• Recognise and say the sound of letter ‘c’ (as in cat).
• Recognise and say the sound of letter ‘d’ (as in dog).

Affective Domain

• Show enthusiasm while reading the alphabet.
• Participate actively in tracing activities.
• Listen attentively to the teacher’s instructions.

Psychomotor Domain

• Trace the right-to-left curve pattern in the air and in sand.
• Trace uppercase ‘C’ and lowercase ‘c’ in their notebooks.
• Trace uppercase ‘D’ and lowercase ‘d’ in their notebooks.
• Attempt to write letters ‘Cc’ and ‘Dd’ independently.

Social Domain

• Share instructional materials like sand trays or crayons politely.
• Take turns when using shared resources.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources
• Suitable early-years literacy workbook

Instructional Materials

• Alphabet chart (Aa-Zz)
• Picture cards for words starting with Cc (e.g., Cat, Car, Cup) and Dd (e.g., Dog, Drum, Duck)
• Flashcards for letters Cc and Dd (uppercase and lowercase)
• Sand tray or textured surfaces for tracing
• Moveable alphabet letters (Cc, Dd)
• Pencils and crayons
• Pupils’ notebooks/worksheets with pre-drawn letters and curves for tracing
• Whiteboard/Blackboard and markers/chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is crucial for 4-year-olds as it builds foundational literacy skills by introducing specific letters and their sounds. Mastering letter recognition and correct tracing, especially curved patterns, develops fine motor skills and prepares pupils for independent writing, which is essential for future reading and academic success.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can recognise and say some letters of the alphabet (Aa-Bb). They have also practised basic pre-writing patterns like vertical and horizontal lines.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

LETTERS CC-DD: RECOGNITION, TRACING AND RIGHT-TO-LEFT CURVES

1. Alphabet Review:

• Let’s say our alphabets together: A a, B b, C c, D d, E e, F f, G g, H h, I i, J j, K k, L l, M m, N n, O o, P p, Q q, R r, S s, T t, U u, V v, W w, X x, Y y, Z z.

2. Letter Cc:

• Uppercase C: C
• Lowercase c: c
• Sound: /k/ (as in “cat”)
• Example words:
  • Cat (picture of a cat)
  • Car (picture of a car)
  • Cup (picture of a cup)
• How to form Cc: Start from the top, make a big curve going round to the left.

3. Letter Dd:

• Uppercase D: D
• Lowercase d: d
• Sound: /d/ (as in “dog”)
• Example words:
  • Dog (picture of a dog)
  • Drum (picture of a drum)
  • Duck (picture of a duck)
• How to form Dd:
  • Uppercase D: Start from the top, draw a straight line down. Then go back to the top and make a big curve to the right, joining the bottom of the straight line.
  • Lowercase d: Start in the middle, make a right-to-left curve (like a ‘c’), then go up high and draw a straight line down, touching the curve.

4. Right-to-Left Curves:

• This is the curve we use for letters like ‘c’ and part of ‘d’.
• Practice making a smooth curve from the right side, going down and around to the left.

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Key Words

• Cc – The third letter of the alphabet.
• Dd – The fourth letter of the alphabet.
• Curve – A line that is not straight; bent or rounded.

Letters Cc and Dd Rhyme

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

C, c, c, for a yummy cake,
Round and round, the curves we make.
D, d, d, for a happy dog,
Line and curve, we write along.
C and D, we learn today,
Let’s trace them, hip hip hooray!

Actions:

• “C, c, c, for a yummy cake”: Make a ‘C’ shape with one hand.
• “Round and round, the curves we make”: Make a circular motion with a finger in the air.
• “D, d, d, for a happy dog”: Make a ‘D’ shape with one hand (straight line with a curve).
• “Line and curve, we write along”: Draw an imaginary line down, then a curve.
• “C and D, we learn today”: Point to the letters Cc and Dd on a chart.
• “Let’s trace them, hip hip hooray!”: Trace in the air, then clap hands.

Watch and Practise

Let’s watch a video to see how to form letters Cc and Dd correctly and hear their sounds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hW99yH8e0I

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Imitation, Manipulation of Objects, Repetition, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Review

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads them in singing an alphabet song (e.g., ABC song). The teacher then displays the alphabet chart (Aa-Zz) and points to letters Aa and Bb, asking pupils to identify them.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing the alphabet song, and identify letters Aa and Bb.

Learning Point: Pupils recall and review previously learned alphabet letters.

Step 2: Presentation of Letters Cc and Dd

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Introduction/Recognition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the new letters Cc and Dd using flashcards and an alphabet chart. The teacher says the name of each letter (Cee, Dee) and its sound (/k/, /d/). The teacher shows picture cards of objects starting with Cc (e.g., cat, car) and Dd (e.g., dog, drum).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the flashcards and pictures, repeat the letter names and sounds, and name the objects.

Learning Point: Pupils recognise letters Cc and Dd and associate them with their sounds and example words.

Step 3: Demonstration of Letter Formation and Curves

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to form uppercase ‘C’, lowercase ‘c’, uppercase ‘D’, and lowercase ‘d’ on the board, emphasizing the starting point and the right-to-left curve. The teacher also demonstrates tracing the right-to-left curve pattern separately in the air and in a sand tray.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration, air-trace the letters and curves, and practise tracing in the sand tray.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the correct formation of letters Cc, Dd, and the right-to-left curve.

Step 4: Rhyme and Video Reinforcement

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Auditory-Visual Learning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Letters Cc and Dd Rhyme” with actions. The teacher then plays the educational video on letter formation, asking pupils to watch carefully and repeat sounds.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video, repeating the letter sounds and attempting air tracing along with the video.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce letter recognition, sounds, and formation through song and visual aids.

Step 5: Guided Tracing in Notebooks

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Fine Motor Development

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes pupils’ notebooks with pre-drawn dots/light lines for tracing letters Cc, Dd, and the right-to-left curve. The teacher guides pupils, moving around to provide individual support and correct pencil grip and tracing direction.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils trace the letters Cc, Dd, and the right-to-left curves in their notebooks using pencils.

Learning Point: Pupils develop fine motor skills and practise correct letter formation.

Step 6: Independent Writing Attempt

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application/Independent Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher encourages pupils to attempt writing letters Cc and Dd on their own below the traced examples in their notebooks. The teacher provides encouragement and light supervision.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to write letters Cc and Dd independently in their notebooks.

Learning Point: Pupils apply their tracing skills to attempt independent letter formation.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4–5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

1. “Point to letter ‘C’ on the chart.”
2. “What sound does ‘c’ make?”
3. “Point to letter ‘D’ on the chart.”
4. “What sound does ‘d’ make?”
5. “Show me how to trace a right-to-left curve in the air.”
6. “Show me your best traced ‘Cc’ and ‘Dd’ in your notebook.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Closure/Summary

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and effort. The teacher reminds them to keep practising their letters and curves. The teacher may lead a final quick sing-along of the Cc-Dd rhyme.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to praise and participate in the final rhyme.

Learning Point: Pupils feel a sense of accomplishment and are encouraged to continue learning.

Lesson Keywords

• Cc – The third letter of the English alphabet, making a /k/ sound.
• Dd – The fourth letter of the English alphabet, making a /d/ sound.
• Curve – A smoothly bending line that is not straight, like the shape of a ‘C’.
• Trace – To draw over an outline or pattern.

Differentiation

• Support: Provide pupils who are struggling with larger pre-drawn letters and curves for tracing. Offer hand-over-hand guidance for tracing. Give extra practice with sand trays or finger painting for sensory input.
• Extension: Encourage pupils who grasp the concept quickly to identify other objects in the classroom that start with ‘Cc’ or ‘Dd’. They can also try to draw simple pictures of objects starting with these letters.