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A game to share, a class to inspire

How print works

EnglishKindergartenLiteracyFree

Follow words, find spaces, and recognize letter forms together.

What it is about

Recognize direction, word spaces and upper/lowercase letter forms in teacher-mediated examples.

Kindergarten · 5–6 years · 30 challenges

Before you begin

  • Everyday oral language, listening and experience with books.

What the class will do

  1. Choose and explain · 30 challenges

    How print works

    Recognize direction, word spaces and upper/lowercase letter forms in teacher-mediated examples.

Using it in class

Read prompts and choices aloud; point to the quoted print. Write the two-line examples on the board as directed. Name letters without supplying the answer. Use short rounds, and invite children to trace, point and explain. This game does not assess independent reading.

Give everyone time to think and discuss before one pupil acts at the board. The class explains and confirms together; hints and explanations stay until you move on.

Use an up-to-date browser on a computer connected to a whiteboard or shared display. Touch, mouse and keyboard; optional audio and reduced motion. No pupil accounts or personal devices.

Choose from 5 challenges up to the full activity. Discussion determines the duration: you set the pace.

A look inside the activities

Choose and explain

Look at “We can hop.” Where does our teacher start reading?

  • can
  • We
  • hop
Explanation and discussion

We comes first. In English, we begin at the left and follow the words to the right.

Trace the path your finger will take as we read.

Choose and explain

Which choice shows TWO words?

  • on top
  • top
  • on the top
Explanation and discussion

On top has two words. Top has one, and on the top has three.

Point once for each word in on the top.

Choose and explain

Look at “s S.” A child says the last letter must be lowercase. What is true?

  • The last letter is always lowercase
  • Both are uppercase here
  • S is uppercase wherever it is
Explanation and discussion

S is uppercase and s is lowercase. Moving a letter does not change its form.

Show the lowercase form if the teacher writes S s.