Emergent Literacy

Victoria Vacuums Vehicles

Emergent Lesson Plan: Letter V

Rationale: This lesson will help emergent students learn the phoneme /v/ and its corresponding letter “v.” They will be able to identify the phoneme by learning the sound that is made when you lightly bite your bottom lip with your top teeth and slightly breathe out. They will also learn how to write the letter by drawing two slants connected to each other, and how to recognize it in written words. Finding a fun way to learn the phoneme, such as using a meaningful representation of the phoneme (the noise a vacuum makes in this example) will help the students grasp the concept easier, improving their reading abilities. Learning phonemes is important for reading because when readers come across words that are not in their sight vocabulary, they can decode the word.

Materials:

Memorable sound picture
Letter “v” tongue tickler story (optional if teacher needs physical copy to read off of)
Primary paper
Book with phoneme /v/ (The Viper by Lisa Thiesing is the one I will be using)
Letter “v” worksheet
Crayons (optional)

Procedure:

Introduction: “Hello class! Today we are going to learn the letter “v.” The letter “v” makes the /v/ sound. To pronounce this sound, lightly bite your bottom lip with your top teeth. Then you slightly breath out. Now you all try.”
Show picture of vacuum. “V” stands for vacuum. This is easy to remember because when you say /v/, it sounds like you are using a vacuum.” Gesture vacuuming while making the sound. “Now you kids do it with me. /Vvvvvvvvv/”
“Now I’m going to tell you a funny story. One day Victoria wanted to buy a new hat. She looked in her wallet but oh no! the hat cost $10, and she only had $5. What was she going to do? ‘I know,’ thought Victoria, ‘I will do some chores for people so I can make some more money.’ Victoria went to her neighbor’s house and asked if they had any chores for her to do. ‘Why yes,’ her neighbor replied, ‘my vehicle is filthy. Would you vacuum it for me?’ Victoria agreed. Some other neighbors saw this, and asked if she could vacuum their vehicles too. And then even more neighbors asked! Victoria started a whole job vacuuming her neighbors’ cars, and now make lots of money. Victoria vacuums vehicles very often. This is our tongue tickler: Victoria vacuums vehicles very often. Now say it with me, and every time we hear the sound /v/, or the letter “v”, we will stretch out the sound and do the vacuuming movement. Vvvvvictoria vvvvvacuums vvvvvvvehicles vvvvvvery often. Great job! All of these words start with “v”, so if you see a “v” while reading a word and need to sound it out, remember your vacuum sound.”
Hand out primary paper and pencils for students who don’t have one. “Now we are going to learn how to write the letter “v”. We will start with capital “V.” Start at the roof, and draw a slant to the sidewalk, then draw a slant back up to the roof.” Do it while explaining it so students have a visual. “Now a lowercase “v” looks almost the exact same, except it is smaller. Start at the fence, then draw a slant to the sidewalk, then draw a slant back up to the fence. Great job! Now each of you write capital “Vs” and lowercase “vs” on your own.” Give kids 2-4 minutes to practice.
“I am going to give you two words at a time. You tell me which one has the /v/ sound. Ready? 1. Does vest or base have the /v/ sound? 2. Does globe or glove have the /v/ sound? Be careful, this one is tricky. 3. Does very or tree have the /v/ sound? Great job!” You can use any words that you want to use. “If you don’t know, you can say the word slowly one sound at a time and listen for your vacuum sound.”
Get book that features the phoneme /v/. “The Viper” by Lisa Thiesing is a good example. “Now I am going to read you a book that has the letter “v.” Booktalk: This book is about a pig named Peggy who keeps getting a scary phone call from someone named The Viper. Peggy is really scared. Let’s see what happens when he comes to her house! When you hear the sound /v/, I want you to do your vacuum movement.” Read story to students.
Send kids back to seats for assessment (if you moved them for the story) and pass out worksheet. May also pass out crayons for pictures
If students finish their worksheet early, they can get a a short story to practice reading their new phoneme.

Assessment: This worksheet will let the kids practice listening for the /v/ sound. They will draw a line from the 'v' to the words that start with the /v/ phoneme.

References:

https://previews.123rf.com/images/kchung/kchung1303/kchung130300379/18433801-Cartoon-housewife-with-a-vacuum-cleaner-Stock-Vector-cleaning.jpg (link to picture)

http://www.kidzone.ws/kindergarten/v-begins1.htm (link to worksheet)

http://www.lisathiesing.com/books/The_Viper.htm (link to book)

Thiesing, L. (2004). The Viper. London: Puffin.

https://sites.google.com/view/readingwithmsbrown/emergent-literacy (link to another useful lesson)

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