Letters Mm-Nn with Picture Tracing and Slanting Strokes for Pre-School Level 3

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 7
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Literacy
Curriculum Theme: Letter Work
Previous Lesson: Recognition and tracing of previous alphabet letters and basic strokes.
Topic: LETTERS MM-NN WITH PICTURE TRACING AND SLANTING STROKES
Subject Matter: Reading and writing: Identifying letters Mm & Nn, scribbling, recognition & pronunciation of letters Mm and Nn, tracing pictures of objects, slanting strokes.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify uppercase ‘M’ and lowercase ‘m’.
• Identify uppercase ‘N’ and lowercase ‘n’.
• Pronounce the sounds of letters Mm and Nn correctly.
• Name objects that start with the ‘m’ and ‘n’ sounds.

Affective Domain

• Listen attentively to the teacher’s instructions and demonstrations.
• Participate actively in singing the alphabet song and letter rhymes.

Psychomotor Domain

• Trace letters Mm and Nn in the air and in their notebooks.
• Make slanting strokes correctly with a pencil.
• Scribble freely in their notebooks to develop hand-eye coordination.

Social Domain

• Share learning materials like crayons and pencils when necessary.
• Take turns when responding to questions or demonstrating tracing.

Reference Materials

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

Instructional Materials

• Alphabet chart (Aa-Zz)
• Flashcards for letters Mm and Nn
• Picture cards of objects starting with ‘M’ (e.g., mango, monkey, moon)
• Picture cards of objects starting with ‘N’ (e.g., nest, nose, net)
• Whiteboard/Blackboard and markers/chalk
• Pupils’ notebooks and pencils
• Crayons

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces pupils to the letters Mm and Nn, which are essential building blocks for early literacy. Practising tracing and making slanting strokes helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, preparing children for formal writing. Recognising and pronouncing letter sounds also strengthens their phonological awareness, a crucial skill for reading.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can recognise some letters of the alphabet (Aa-Ll), hold a pencil, and make basic vertical and horizontal lines. They are familiar with singing the alphabet song.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

LETTERS MM-NN WITH PICTURE TRACING AND SLANTING STROKES

Review of Alphabets Aa-Zz

We know our alphabets from A to Z!

Letter Mm

• Uppercase M: M
• Lowercase m: m
• Sound: /m/ as in “mmm” (like when you taste something delicious)
• Examples:
  • Mango (mmm-mango)
  • Monkey (mmm-monkey)
  • Moon (mmm-moon)

Letter Nn

• Uppercase N: N
• Lowercase n: n
• Sound: /n/ as in “nnn” (like a buzzing sound in your nose)
• Examples:
  • Nest (nnn-nest)
  • Nose (nnn-nose)
  • Net (nnn-net)

Slanting Strokes

Lines that go diagonally, like a slide!

• From top-left to bottom-right (e.g., / )
• From top-right to bottom-left (e.g., )

Scribbling

Drawing freely with lines and shapes. It helps our hands get strong for writing!

Letter Rhyme: Mm and Nn Fun!

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

M, m, m, for mango sweet,
M, m, m, for monkey’s feet.
N, n, n, for nest so high,
N, n, n, for clouds in sky.
M and N, we love to say,
Learning letters every day!

Actions:

• For ‘M’, rub tummy like “mmm delicious”.
• For ‘N’, point to nose.
• For ‘mango sweet’, pretend to eat.
• For ‘monkey’s feet’, wiggle fingers.
• For ‘nest so high’, reach hands up.
• For ‘clouds in sky’, wave hands gently.
• For ‘learning letters’, clap hands.

Watch and Learn: Letters Mm and Nn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9K-aN07W84

Key Words

• Mango – A sweet, juicy fruit.
• Nest – A home built by birds.
• Slant – To go in a diagonal direction.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

• Play-based Learning
• Demonstration
• Guided Practice
• Songs and Rhymes
• Picture Talk
• Question and Answer
• Repetition
• Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads them in singing the alphabet song (Aa-Zz) while pointing to the letters on the chart. The teacher tells pupils they will learn about two new letters today.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher and sing the alphabet song, pointing along to the chart.

Learning Point: Pupils recall and review the alphabet sequence.

Step 2: Presentation of Letter Mm

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Introduction/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the letter Mm using a flashcard. The teacher says “M” and “m” clearly and makes the /m/ sound (“mmm”). The teacher shows picture cards of objects starting with ‘M’ (e.g., mango, monkey, moon) and says their names, emphasizing the /m/ sound. The teacher demonstrates how to trace uppercase M and lowercase m in the air and on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, look at the flashcard and pictures, repeat the letter names and /m/ sound, and trace ‘M’ and ‘m’ in the air.

Learning Point: Pupils recognise letter Mm and its sound, and identify ‘M’ words.

Step 3: Guided Practice for Letter Mm

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to trace uppercase M and lowercase m in their notebooks. The teacher walks around, providing individual support and correcting pencil grip or stroke direction as needed.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils trace letters Mm in their notebooks with their pencils.

Learning Point: Pupils practise tracing letter Mm, developing fine motor skills.

Step 4: Presentation of Letter Nn

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Introduction/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the letter Nn using a flashcard. The teacher says “N” and “n” clearly and makes the /n/ sound (“nnn”). The teacher shows picture cards of objects starting with ‘N’ (e.g., nest, nose, net) and says their names, emphasizing the /n/ sound. The teacher demonstrates how to trace uppercase N and lowercase n in the air and on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, look at the flashcard and pictures, repeat the letter names and /n/ sound, and trace ‘N’ and ‘n’ in the air.

Learning Point: Pupils recognise letter Nn and its sound, and identify ‘N’ words.

Step 5: Guided Practice for Letter Nn

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to trace uppercase N and lowercase n in their notebooks. The teacher continues to provide individual support and correction.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils trace letters Nn in their notebooks with their pencils.

Learning Point: Pupils practise tracing letter Nn, reinforcing pre-writing skills.

Step 6: Slanting Strokes and Scribbling Reinforcement

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Practical Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to make slanting strokes ( / and ) on the board. The teacher then guides pupils to make slanting strokes in their notebooks. The teacher encourages pupils to scribble freely in another part of their notebooks. The teacher leads the class in singing the “Mm and Nn Fun!” rhyme with actions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils make slanting strokes and scribble in their notebooks. Pupils sing the rhyme with actions.

Learning Point: Pupils practise slanting strokes and develop hand control through scribbling and rhyme actions.

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. “What letter is this?” (Shows ‘M’ flashcard)
2. “What sound does ‘M’ make?”
3. “What letter is this?” (Shows ‘N’ flashcard)
4. “What sound does ‘N’ make?”
5. “Can you show me a slanting stroke in the air?”
6. “Trace letter ‘M’ 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: Summary

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and good work. The teacher reminds them to keep practising their letters and strokes. The teacher assigns homework to trace Mm and Nn in their homework books.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and prepare for the next activity.

Learning Point: Pupils consolidate learning and receive encouragement.

Lesson Keywords

• Mm – The thirteenth letter of the alphabet.
• Nn – The fourteenth letter of the alphabet.
• Sound – What a letter says, like /m/ or /n/.
• Trace – To draw over a line or shape.
• Slant – A line that goes diagonally.
• Scribble – To draw lines and shapes freely.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils struggling with tracing, the teacher can provide hand-over-hand guidance, use larger outlines of letters, or allow them to trace letters in sand or flour for a sensory experience. Focus on recognising the letter and its sound first.
• Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concepts, the teacher can ask them to identify other objects in the classroom that start with ‘M’ or ‘N’, or encourage them to draw a picture of an ‘M’ or ‘N’ word and label it with the letter. They can also try to write the letters independently without tracing.