Double Sandpaper Letters

Double Sandpaper Letters
Language - Writing
Level	Primary
Prerequisites	Sandpaper Letters Rough and Smooth Boards
Materials	2 or 3 Double Sandpaper Letters

This activity introduces the child to digraphs.
Some teachers choose to introduce the Double Sandpaper Letters separately from the single Sandpaper Letters, some mix them and teach them at the same time.

Presentation

1. Take two or three double sandpaper letters to a mat or table. Place them in a stack face-down in the upper right corner.

   

2. Step two

   

3. Step three

   

4. Step four

   

Variations and Extensions

• Some teachers choose to mix the double sandpaper letters in with presentations of the single sandpaper letters.

Vocabulary

The term digraph does not need to be taught to the children. You could mention it casually if you like, but it is not necessary. A digraph is a pair of letters that represent just one sound. There are more digraphs used in English than are presented in these sandpaper letters, the idea is to provide the child with one way to spell each sound used in the English language. Alternative spellings for each sound are taught in later lessons.

Material

Digraphs included: ai, ee, ie, oa, ue, th, sh, ch, oo, ou, oy, au, er, ar, or
There really ought to be an "ng" double sandpaper letter. It's unclear why this is not part of the standard set.

It would also be better if the double sandpaper letters weren't on green backgrounds. They ought to either be pink or blue depending on whether they are a consonant or vowel digraph.

Where to Buy

Prices and links checked: 23 January 2022
(Amazon/Bookshop are affiliate links, which help cover costs of running the site.)

Print
Store	Price
Adena	$28.95
Affordable Montessori	$49.00
Alison's	$38.58
Alison's	$98.00
Bruins lower	$100.00
E & O	$55.80
IFIT	$30.00
Kid Advance	$20.69
Kid Advance	$20.69
Material Company of Boston	$64.00
Montessori Concepts	$37.00
Montessori Outlet	$26.95
Nienhuis	$76.45
Thinkamajigs	$43.95

Cursive
Store	Price
Adena	$28.95
Affordable Montessori	$49.00
Alison's	$98.00
Alison's	$36.75
Bruins lower	$100.00
E & O	$35.10
IFIT	$30.00
Kid Advance	$20.69
Kid Advance	$20.69
Material Company of Boston	$74.00
Montessori Concepts	$38.00
Montessori Outlet	$27.95
Nienhuis	$76.45
Thinkamajigs	$43.95

Semi-Cursive
Store	Price
Alison's D'Nealian	$98.00
Bruins lower, D'Nealian	$90.00

Further Reading

• Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under-fives by David Gettman, pages 139-140