Lively Letters

This year in Kindergarten, your child will begin using the Lively Letters Program, created by Nancy Alemian Telian. Lively Letters is a multisensory program that uses imagery and mnemonics. The program trains students in the critical skills of phonemic awareness, letter sound associations, and ability to decode (read) and encode (spell) words fluently.

Each of the 44 sounds in the English language is presented as a lively character with personalities that interact. Mnemonics (memory tricks) and hand cues are included in the short stories to help make a lasting impression, linking the mouth movement cues with the letter shapes and sounds.

During the kindergarten year, children are introduced to the initial consonant sounds, as well as the short and long vowel sounds. After just a few sessions, children are taught how to blend the sounds they have learned into short words. As more and more sounds are added, children gain skill and knowledge in the skills of decoding and encoding. We see gains in not only reading, but writing as well, as children put those sounds to paper during Writing Workshop or other class work.

At the beginning of the school year, you will receive more detailed information about the program, so that you can reinforce the work we are doing at school. You will be provided with copies of each letter, along with information about the stories and hand cues.

If you would like more information about the program, the website for Lively Letters is www.readingwithtlc.com.