After researching, I decided to use the letter order suggested in How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin:
First set: c m a t
Second set: s r i p
Third set: b f o g
Fourth set: h j u l
Fifth set: d w e n
Sixth set: k q v x y z
This letter order, along with many other options and the teaching process is explained in great detail on one of my favorite blogs, Living Montessori Now. When introducing each set of sandpaper letters (that I made myself), I do the following:
1. I sit beside Reed, usually on the ground, with the new letters at my side.
2. I place one of the new letters in front of us. I slowly trace the letter with my finger (just as I would write it) and say the letter sound (for example, "a" as in "apple" or "b" as in "ball"). I try to make the letter sound as clear and natural as possible, no silly exaggerations or games. To review, if I was teaching the letter "s", I would : show the letter, trace the letter, make the letter sound (sssss).
3. Next, I have Reed stick out his pointer finger, and I hold his hand as I trace the letter with him, saying the letter sound clearly as we trace. I ask him to say the letter sound as well. I have also found that it works well if we talk about the shape of the letter. We talk through straight lines, curves, hooks, circles, and other shapes. He really likes doing this. Then, we are finished with that letter.
First set: c m a t
Second set: s r i p
Third set: b f o g
Fourth set: h j u l
Fifth set: d w e n
Sixth set: k q v x y z
This letter order, along with many other options and the teaching process is explained in great detail on one of my favorite blogs, Living Montessori Now. When introducing each set of sandpaper letters (that I made myself), I do the following:
1. I sit beside Reed, usually on the ground, with the new letters at my side.
2. I place one of the new letters in front of us. I slowly trace the letter with my finger (just as I would write it) and say the letter sound (for example, "a" as in "apple" or "b" as in "ball"). I try to make the letter sound as clear and natural as possible, no silly exaggerations or games. To review, if I was teaching the letter "s", I would : show the letter, trace the letter, make the letter sound (sssss).
3. Next, I have Reed stick out his pointer finger, and I hold his hand as I trace the letter with him, saying the letter sound clearly as we trace. I ask him to say the letter sound as well. I have also found that it works well if we talk about the shape of the letter. We talk through straight lines, curves, hooks, circles, and other shapes. He really likes doing this. Then, we are finished with that letter.
Frequent, no-pressure practice is the key after learning new letter sounds. After a few, or maybe several, introductions to the new letter, I rephrase my question to say "show me, 'sssss'" to see if he can identify the letter on his own. And then, after mastering that question, I should eventually be able to hold up the letter "S" and say, what is this? At that point, Reed has mastered the letter.
We have a couple of sandpaper letter games that have been helpful in mastering the letter sounds as well. If you have any questions about using sandpaper letters to teach letter sounds, please leave them in the comments!
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