Meet ا, the standing letter

This letter is just one straight line. Where have you seen it?

ArabicAges 3–412 minutes3 pagesInk-light

Being written

This one is planned but not finished yet. Everything below is what it will contain.

Skill: First letter exposure: ا, chosen because it is one stroke and unmistakable
You will need: Crayon
Your job: Read aloud
Stage: KG1 · ages 3–4

Not drawn yet

I can find the letter ا and trace it.

How the fifteen minutes go

The five steps on this sheet, in the order a child meets them. This is what you will actually be doing, not a description of the method.

Print the one that fits today. Same skill, three depths — and on this sheet they differ like this.

Support

Three ا to find, three to trace, very large.

Fewer items, more pictures, hints included, parent reads the instructions.

Core

Five to find, three to trace.

The standard task, recognition, practice and explanation.

Challenge

Draw ا three times on your own, in the empty box.

Open-ended. Explain why, make your own example, use it somewhere new.

The same guide that is printed on the back page, so you can read it before you decide to print anything.

The answers

Five ا are hidden. Top to bottom every time, the direction matters more than the shape at this stage.

If they get stuck

Trace it on their back with a finger and let them guess which line it was. Then on paper.

Common mistakes

Drawing it bottom-up. Restart, do not explain.
Confusing ا with the number 1 or the letter ل. Say the sound each time to keep them apart.

When they finish early

Hunt for ا on food packets in the kitchen.