GRADE 1 · English · LEARNING COMPANION

Alphabet song: names, forms and word sounds

Three guided lessons with explanations, visual steps, practice and a final check. An adult can read instructions aloud and help record the reflection.

Original skills companion for a named reading in Mridang Unit 1, My Family and Me (Reprint 2026–27). Open the official source for its poem/story. HelioLearn supplies original analogous language and activities; it does not reproduce the reading or claim every textbook exercise. An adult reads prompts and checks speaking, letter formation and practical tasks.

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LESSON 1

Explore letters A to I

Name, match and begin forming capital and small letters A to I.

Adult-supported lesson: read the linked source selection together when available. Letters have names, written shapes and sounds used in words. Learn a few at a time and revisit them over several short sessions.

Name and match
An adult models each letter name. Find its capital and small form: A/a, B/b, C/c, D/d, E/e, F/f, G/g, H/h, I/i.
Listen in real words
In these examples, listen to the short vowel sounds in apple, egg and ink. Letter names and word sounds are not always the same. Say each example aloud with an adult.
Watch, trace, copy
An adult models one printed letter slowly on lined paper. Trace it with a finger, copy it, then compare its shape and direction. Repeat for each letter over short sessions.
Retrieve and check
Mix the letter cards. Match each capital to its small form, say a name, and recall one example word. Ask for support when needed.

Worked example: Original letter cards: A/a — apple, B/b — bun, C/c — cup, D/d — duck, E/e — egg, F/f — fan, G/g — goat, H/h — hat, I/i — ink. The learner first matches each pair, then listens to the adult’s word and finally copies the printed letter on paper.

Watch for this: A letter name is not always its sound in a word. Capital and small forms are the same letter, even when they look different.

Discuss: Choose two familiar labels at home. Find one letter from this group. Say whether its written form is capital or small.

LESSON 2

Explore letters J to R

Name, match and begin forming capital and small letters J to R.

Name and match
An adult models each letter name. Find its capital and small form: J/j, K/k, L/l, M/m, N/n, O/o, P/p, Q/q, R/r.
Listen in real words
In queen, q works with u to begin with the /kw/ sound. We are learning a common example, not a rule that every word sounds identical. Say each example aloud with an adult.
Watch, trace, copy
An adult models one printed letter slowly on lined paper. Trace it with a finger, copy it, then compare its shape and direction. Repeat for each letter over short sessions.
Retrieve and check
Mix the letter cards. Match each capital to its small form, say a name, and recall one example word. Ask for support when needed.

Worked example: Original letter cards: J/j — jam, K/k — key, L/l — leaf, M/m — moon, N/n — nest, O/o — orange, P/p — pan, Q/q — queen, R/r — rat. The learner first matches each pair, then listens to the adult’s word and finally copies the printed letter on paper.

Watch for this: A letter name is not always its sound in a word. Capital and small forms are the same letter, even when they look different.

Discuss: Choose two familiar labels at home. Find one letter from this group. Say whether its written form is capital or small.

LESSON 3

Explore letters S to Z

Name, match and begin forming capital and small letters S to Z.

Name and match
An adult models each letter name. Find its capital and small form: S/s, T/t, U/u, V/v, W/w, X/x, Y/y, Z/z.
Listen in real words
X appears at the end of box with the /ks/ sound. It need not begin a word. In up, u has a short vowel sound; uniform starts differently. Say each example aloud with an adult.
Watch, trace, copy
An adult models one printed letter slowly on lined paper. Trace it with a finger, copy it, then compare its shape and direction. Repeat for each letter over short sessions.
Retrieve and check
Mix the letter cards. Match each capital to its small form, say a name, and recall one example word. Ask for support when needed.

Worked example: Original letter cards: S/s — sun, T/t — tent, U/u — up, V/v — van, W/w — web, X/x — box, Y/y — yarn, Z/z — zip. The learner first matches each pair, then listens to the adult’s word and finally copies the printed letter on paper.

Watch for this: A letter name is not always its sound in a word. Capital and small forms are the same letter, even when they look different.

Discuss: Choose two familiar labels at home. Find one letter from this group. Say whether its written form is capital or small.

Continue this chapter

Two Little Hands: body words and sentences · Parts of the Body: actions and routines · Greetings: kind words and clear sentences · Hop a Little: action language and games · My Family: relationships, helping and pronouns · The Sparrow Family: story-reading skills

Each companion covers selected outcomes. Use the chapter scope and adult checks to judge what still needs practice.

Show what you can do

Complete these tasks on paper or through discussion. An adult or teacher checks the evidence. The browser completion badge covers its choice questions and reflection; it does not certify speaking, writing or practical mastery.

Explore letters A to I

Adult observation

Across several short sessions, match, name and form each listed capital/small letter. Listen to and attempt its example word.

Matches every pair in the group
Copies recognisable forms using an adult model
Distinguishes a letter name from a word example