Letters Xx-Zz with Circular Pattern Making for Pre-School Level 3

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 10
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Literacy
Curriculum Theme: Letter Work
Previous Lesson: Letters Uu-Ww and other pre-writing patterns.
Topic: LETTERS XX-ZZ WITH CIRCULAR PATTERN MAKING
Subject Matter: READING AND WRITING Identifying Letters Xx – Zz. Making Patterns: Circle. Identification of letters Xx – Zz Making circular patterns.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify uppercase and lowercase letters Xx, Yy, Zz.
• Recognise the sound associated with letters Xx, Yy, Zz.
• Identify a circular pattern.

Affective Domain

• Listen attentively to the teacher’s instructions and demonstrations.
• Participate actively in reading the alphabet and tracing activities.

Psychomotor Domain

• Trace and write uppercase and lowercase letters Xx, Yy, Zz in their notebooks.
• Trace and draw circular patterns in their notebooks.
• Match letters Xx, Yy, Zz to corresponding objects.

Social Domain

• Share instructional materials like crayons and pencils with classmates.
• Take turns during interactive activities.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
• Early Childhood Care and Education curriculum resources
• Literacy workbook for Pre-School Level 3

Instructional Materials

• Alphabet chart (Aa-Zz)
• Flashcards for Xx, Yy, Zz with corresponding pictures (e.g., X for xylophone, Y for yellow, Z for zebra)
• Moveable alphabet letters (Xx, Yy, Zz)
• Writing books/exercise books
• Pencils and crayons
• Chalk and chalkboard/whiteboard
• Sandpaper letters (Xx, Yy, Zz) (optional)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it completes their introduction to the alphabet, strengthening their letter recognition and phonetic awareness. Practising circular patterns is a fundamental pre-writing skill that develops fine motor control and hand-eye coordination, preparing them for forming letters and numbers more complexly in the future. These skills are essential building blocks for early literacy.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can identify and name most letters of the alphabet from Aa to Ww. They have also practised tracing and drawing various pre-writing patterns like vertical, horizontal, and slanting lines.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

LETTERS XX-ZZ WITH CIRCULAR PATTERN MAKING

The alphabet has 26 letters. We have learned many letters. Today we will learn the last three letters!

Letters Xx, Yy, Zz

• Xx (Uppercase X, lowercase x)
  • Sound: ‘ks’ as in ‘box’ or ‘fox’, sometimes ‘z’ as in ‘xylophone’.
  • Example: X for Xylophone, x for box.
• Yy (Uppercase Y, lowercase y)
  • Sound: ‘yuh’ as in ‘yellow’ or ‘yo-yo’.
  • Example: Y for Yellow, y for yo-yo.
• Zz (Uppercase Z, lowercase z)
  • Sound: ‘zzz’ as in ‘zebra’ or ‘zip’.
  • Example: Z for Zebra, z for zip.

Circular Pattern Making

A circular pattern is a round shape, like a ball or a plate. It goes round and round.

Examples of circular shapes: sun, moon, ball, plate, wheel.

We draw circles by starting at the top and going round to the left, then down, then round to the right, and back up to the starting point.

Key Words

• X – The twenty-fourth letter of the alphabet.
• Y – The twenty-fifth letter of the alphabet.
• Z – The twenty-sixth letter of the alphabet.
• Circle – A round shape.
• Pattern – A repeated design or shape.

Letters Xx, Yy, Zz and Circles Rhyme

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

X, Y, Z, we know them all,
Big and small, standing tall.
X for xylophone, Y for yellow bright,
Z for zebra, what a sight!
Round and round, a circle we make,
For our letters, for goodness sake!

Actions:

• Point up for “tall”.
• Make a ‘X’ shape with arms, then ‘Y’, then ‘Z’.
• Point to a yellow object.
• Move hands like a zebra’s stripes.
• Make a big circle in the air with hands.

Watch and Learn Our Letters

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: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Greeting/Recap

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and leads them in singing the “Alphabet Song” (Aa-Zz) to refresh their memory of the letters. The teacher reminds them of the letters they learned last week (Uu-Ww) and other patterns.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and enthusiastically sing the “Alphabet Song”. They recall and mention letters Uu-Ww.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and recall previous learning, preparing for new content.

Step 2: Introduction of Letters Xx-Zz

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Introduction/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher points to the letters Xx, Yy, Zz on the alphabet chart. The teacher says each letter’s name (uppercase and lowercase) and its sound clearly, asking pupils to repeat. The teacher shows flashcards for each letter.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the letters, and repeat the names and sounds of Xx, Yy, Zz after the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils recognise and pronounce the names and sounds of letters Xx, Yy, Zz.

Step 3: Letter Recognition and Association

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Picture Talk/Association

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows picture cards for words associated with Xx (xylophone, box), Yy (yellow, yo-yo), and Zz (zebra, zip). The teacher asks pupils to identify the pictures and say the words, linking them to the letter sounds.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the pictures, say the words, and repeat the letter sounds as they see the associated objects.

Learning Point: Pupils associate letters Xx, Yy, Zz with familiar objects and their sounds.

Step 4: Tracing and Writing Xx-Zz

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates air tracing of Xx, Yy, Zz. Then, the teacher writes Xx, Yy, Zz in pupils’ notebooks (or on a worksheet) and guides them to trace the letters. The teacher encourages pupils to attempt writing the letters independently below the traced ones.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils air trace the letters, then trace Xx, Yy, Zz in their notebooks, and attempt to write them on their own.

Learning Point: Pupils develop fine motor skills and begin to form letters Xx, Yy, Zz.

Step 5: Introduction of Circular Pattern

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Concept Introduction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher draws a large circle on the board, explaining that it is a “circular pattern” and demonstrating how it goes “round and round.” The teacher shows examples of circular objects in the classroom (e.g., a clock, a plate).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher drawing the circle and identify circular objects around them. They make a circle in the air with their finger.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept and shape of a circle.

Step 6: Circular Pattern Tracing and Drawing

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Practical Activity

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher draws circular patterns in pupils’ notebooks (or on a worksheet) for them to trace. The teacher guides pupils to trace the patterns correctly, then encourages them to draw their own circles.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils trace the circular patterns in their notebooks and then attempt to draw their own circles.

Learning Point: Pupils develop hand-eye coordination and motor skills by tracing and drawing circular patterns.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

1. “Point to letter Xx on the chart.”
2. “What sound does letter Yy make?”
3. “Show me how to draw a circle in the air.”
4. “Trace letter Zz in your book.”

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: Summarising/Assignment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their hard work and reminds them to keep practising their letters and patterns. The teacher assigns homework to draw more circles and trace Xx, Yy, Zz at home.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher’s summary and instructions for homework.

Learning Point: Pupils consolidate learning and receive instructions for continued practice.

Lesson Keywords

• X – The twenty-fourth letter of the alphabet.
• Y – The twenty-fifth letter of the alphabet.
• Z – The twenty-sixth letter of the alphabet.
• Circle – A round shape.
• Trace – To draw over a line or shape.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils struggling with letter formation or patterns, provide hand-over-hand guidance for tracing. Use larger print for letters and patterns. Offer sandpaper letters for a tactile experience. Focus on recognising Xx, Yy, Zz rather than independent writing.
• Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to identify more words that start with or contain Xx, Yy, Zz. Ask them to draw objects that are circular in addition to just the pattern. They can also try to write the letters without tracing first.