Qu.....qu.....Pet Peeves!

In the blog post regarding phonics and blends, you learned that I teach my beginning readers that "q" is never alone. Just like a queen, "q" always has the helper "u" to make the sound "kw." I teach cursive writing to my students, but they have had experience in print writing from previous educational experiences or they are able to pick it up from the textbooks.

Many beginning students get confused on the difference between "b" and "d." However, just as many students get confused on the "p" and "q." Below is an example of an exercise to practice the "qu" blend.

You will notice that the "p" (yellow square) could easily be confused with the "q" (green square) for beginning readers. There are potentially more complications for beginning readers that are also dyslexic.

While teaching my students, I go through their textbook to add a "tail" to every letter "q." See the example below.

With the tail, the "q" looks different than the "p." Students are not as easily confused. Because students are specifically taught the "qu" blend from the beginning, this exercise is not confusing. (See the blog post regarding Phonics and Blends to learn more about how to avoid the trap of "two vowels walking" with the "qu" blend.)

Below is the completed exercise.

The pet peeve.......No Tails on the letter q! Why, oh why, are there no tails on the letter q in textbooks for beginning readers?!?! I realize that small amount of ink needed to add a tail will add up over the course of time, and that will have an impact on the bottom line. However, it is so important for beginning readers to see the tail on the letter q. It will reduce confusion and frustration. Less confusion and frustration will lead to happier students who are able to learn to read quicker.

*You will notice that I used the standard font for this blog post that does not add a tail to the letter q. That was done with intention so that you would have the opportunity to view, compare, and consider.