Year 1 English Lesson Plan - Learning Letter Sound Relationships

Lesson Overview

Subject: English
Year Level: Year 1
Duration: 15 minutes
Number of Students: 2

This lesson focuses on introducing and reinforcing letter sound relationships tailored for Year 1 students in New Zealand, aligning with the New Zealand Curriculum standards for English at the junior level. The activities designed ensure students can work independently, promoting self-guided learning within a structured framework.

Objective

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify specific letters of the alphabet.
• Correctly associate sounds with identified letters.
• Engage in phonics activities independently.

Curriculum Links

This lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum standards for English, focusing specifically on the foundational aspects of reading and phonics:

• The New Zealand Curriculum – English (Learning area: English, Level: 1)

Resources

• Alphabet flashcards
• Sets of picture cards (each picture representing objects that start with the different letter sounds)
• Phonics worksheets (downloadable from TKI - see suggested Teaching Resource)
• Audio recordings of letter sounds (could utilise online resources or recordings made by the teacher)

Activities

Activity 1: Flashcard Letter Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Objective: Students will be able to recognise letters and familiarise themselves with the corresponding sounds.
2. Instructions:
   • Teacher presents a flashcard and articulates the letter and sound clearly.
   • Students repeat the letter sound three times.
   • Move to the next flashcard and repeat.

Activity 2: Matching Sounds (5 minutes)

1. Objective: Students will independently match picture cards to the corresponding beginning letter sound.
2. Instructions:
   • Lay out a limited set of alphabet flashcards on the table (e.g., A, S, T, M).
   • Give each student a set of picture cards that begin with these letters (e.g., Apple, Snake, Tree, Monkey).
   • Students work independently to match the picture cards with the correct letter flashcards.

Activity 3: Phonics Worksheet (5 minutes)

1. Objective: Reinforce letter sound knowledge through a written format.
2. Instructions:
   • Provide each student with a worksheet that includes simple objects and multiple-choice letters to circle the correct initial sound.
   • Students complete the worksheet independently, circling the letter that matches the beginning sound of the object pictured.
   • Link for downloadable worksheet resource: TKI Resources

Assessment

• Informal Observation: Monitor student engagement and ability to match sounds to letters during the activities.
• Worksheet Completion: Review the completed worksheets to assess individual understanding and correct identification of letter sounds.

Additional Notes

Ensure a supportive and encouraging environment, especially since the students are working independently. Praise efforts and provide gentle corrections wherever necessary.

Follow-Up

Based on the students' performances and outcomes, plan to revisit challenging sounds or introduce new letters in subsequent sessions. Consider integrating letter sounds into other daily activities and subjects to reinforce learning continuously.