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A-B-C’s
Created by Amy Shepherd, M.Ed.
Copyright © 2023
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This is an uppercase A.
Salient Features: Long diagonal line on the left. Long diagonal line on the right. Both diagonal lines are connecting at the top. Ashort horizontal line connecting across the middle.
This is a lowercase a.
Salient Features: A circle, with a small vertical line touching the circle on the right.
Uppercase A…
Lowercase a…
What words start with A?
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A
a
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a-a-apple. Apple starts with A.
Salient Features: Apples have smooth skin and are round. They also have a dimple at the top with a short stem.
a..a..acorn. Acorn starts with A.
Salient Features: Acorns are small and round and have a tough shell with a stem.
a-a-airplane. Airplane starts with A.
Salient Features: Airplanes have wings, engines and a cockpit.
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This is an uppercase B.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. A small curve starting at the top on the right side of the line. Joined by a bigger curve on the bottom.
This is a lowercase b.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. A small circle on the bottom right, touching the line.
Uppercase B…
Lowercase b…
What words start with B?
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B
b
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b-b-backpack. Backpack starts with B.
Salient Features: Backpacks have zippers and straps.
b..b..banana. Banana starts with B.
Salient Features: Bananas are yellow, long, and slightly curved. They also have a hard stem at the end.
b-b-bowl. Bowl starts with B.
Salient Features: Bowls have a flat curved bottom and a wide curved rimmed opening at the top.
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This is an uppercase C.
Salient Features: A big curve open to the right.
This is a lowercase c.
Salient Features: A smaller curve open to the right.
Uppercase C…
Lowercase c…
What words start with C?
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C
c
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c-c-cup. Cup starts with C.
Salient Features: Cups have a flat bottom, a curved rimmed opening at the top. This cup also has a handle.
c-c-carrot. Carrot starts with C.
Salient Features: Salient Feature: Carrots are orange, long and have a leafy green stem.
c-c-car. Car starts with C.
Salient Features: Cars have wheels, windows, and doors.
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This is an uppercase D.
Salient Features: A a long vertical line on the left. A large curve starting at the top on the right side of the line and ending at the bottom of the vertical line.
This is a lowercase d.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the right. A small circle on the bottom left, touching the line.
Uppercase D…
Lowercase d…
What words start with D?
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D
d
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d-d-dog. Dog starts with D.
Salient Features: Dogs have a snout, paws and a tail.
d-d-drum. Drum starts with D.
Salient Features: Drums are round, they have a drum head on at least one side, and tuning lugs.
d-d-duck. Duck starts with D.
Salient Features: Ducks have feathers, a bill and webbed feet.
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This is an uppercase E.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. A medium horizontal line touching the top of the vertical line and going to the right. Another medium horizontal line touching the middle of the vertical line and going to the right. Another medium horizontal line touching the bottom of the vertical line and going to the right.
This is a lowercase e.
Salient Features: A medium horizontal line. Starting at the right end of the horizontal line, a curve goes overtop the horizontal line, touch the left end of the horizontal line and continues under the horizontal line. Curve stops just before the horizontal line to leave the bottom curve open.
Uppercase E…
Lowercase e…
What words start with E?
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E
e
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e-e-egg. Egg starts with E.
Salient Features: Eggs are round like an oval and have a fragile shell that is easily broken
e-e-eagle. Eagle starts with E.
Salient Features: Eagles are large birds with very long dark wings with white feathers around its head and white tail feathers. Their beaks and talons are yellow.
e-e-elephant. Elephant starts with E.
Salient Features: Elephants have a long trunk, large floppy ears, and pointy tusks.
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This is an uppercase F.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. A medium horizontal line touching the top of the vertical line and going to the right. Another medium horizontal line touching the middle of the vertical line and going to the right.
This is a lowercase f.
Salient Features: A vertical line with a small curve to the right at the top. A horizontal line crosses the vertical line just under the curve.
Uppercase F…
Lowercase f…
What words start with F?
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F
f
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f-f-fish. Fish starts with F.
Salient Features: Fish have fins, gills and a tail
f-f-fork. Fork starts with F.
Salient Features: Forks have a long handle and four tines or prongs used to poke and pick up food.
f-f-flower. Flower starts with F.
Salient Features: Flowers have a long stem, leaves, and petals.
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This is an uppercase G.
Salient Features: A big curve open on the right. At the bottom end of the curve, a short horizontal line goes inward to the left toward the curve.
This is a lowercase g.
Salient Features: A small circle. A vertical line touches the small circle on the right side. The vertical line goes down below the circle and has a medium curve to the left.
Uppercase G…
Lowercase g…
What words start with G?
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G
g
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g-g-giraffe. Giraffe starts with G.
Salient Features: Giraffe’s have long necks, long legs and brown patches.
g-g-guitar. Guitar starts with G.
Salient Features: Guitars have a round hollow wooden body and six strings stretched over it and along a narrow neck.
g-g-grape. Grape starts with G.
Salient Features: Grapes are small, round and grow in a bunch.
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This is an uppercase H.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. A parallel long vertical line on the right. A short horizontal line connecting them across the middle.
This is a lowercase h.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. A curve starting in the middle of the vertical line, moving up and to the right and down to finish parallel with the vertical line.
Uppercase H…
Lowercase h…
What words start with H?
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H
h
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h-h-hat. Hat starts with H.
Salient Features: A hat has a round dome that covers someone’s head and a visor to shade the eyes.
h-h-house. House starts with H.
Salient Features: A house has a door, windows and a roof.
h-h-horse. Horse starts with H.
Salient Features: Horses have a long nose, manes and a long bushy tail.
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This is an uppercase I.
Salient Features: A long vertical lline.
This is a lowercase i.
Salient Features: A medium vertical line. A small dot just above the vertical line.
Uppercase I…
Lowercase i…
What words start with I?
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I
i
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i-i-iguana. Iguana starts with I.
Salient Features: Iguanas are lizards with scaly skin, a long tail, spikes on its back, and saggy skin on its neck.
i-i-ice. Ice starts with I.
Salient Features: Ice is shaped like a cube and is cold.
i-i-igloo. Igloo starts with I.
Salient Features: An igloo is a dome shaped house build from ice.
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This is an uppercase J.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the right with a medium upward curve to the left.
This is a lowercase j.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the right with a small upward curve to the left. A small dot just above the vertical line.
Uppercase J…
Lowercase j…
What words start with J?
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J
j
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j-j-jellyfish. Jellyfish starts with J.
Salient Features: Jellyfish have bell shaped bodies with tentacles.
j-j-jacket. Jacket starts with J.
Salient Features: Jackets have two spaces for arms, a space for a neck and a long zipper.
j-j-jar. Jar starts with J.
Salient Features: Jars are containers that have a flat bottom, a curved opening at the top, and a lid.
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This is an uppercase K.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. Starting in the middle of the vertical line, a medium diagonal line moves up and to the right. Starting in the middle of the vertical line, a medium diagonal line moves down and to the right.
This is a lowercase k.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. Starting a little below the middle of the vertical line, a small diagonal line moves up and to the right. Starting a little below the middle of the vertical line, a small diagonal line moves down and to the right.
Uppercase K…
Lowercase k…
What words start with K?
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K
k
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k-k-key. Key starts with K.
Salient Features: A key is a small piece of metal with a circle that connects to a long end that is uniquely cut to open a specific lock.
k-k-kite. Kite starts with K.
Salient Features: Kites have four sides and are connected to a long string.
n-n-knife. Knife starts with K.
Salient Features: A knife is flat and long with a sharp edge on one end
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This is an uppercase L.
Salient Features: A long vertical line. A horizontal line touches the bottom of the vertical line and goes to the right.
This is a lowercase l.
Salient Features: A long vertical line.
Uppercase L…
Lowercase l…
What words start with L?
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L
l
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l-l-lion. Lion starts with L.
Salient Features: Lions have a fluffy mane, four legs and a tail.
l-l-leaf. Leaf starts with L.
Salient Features: Leaves have flat bodies and a stem.
l-l-lemon. Lemon starts with L.
Salient Features: Lemons are yellow with an oval shape.
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This is an uppercase M.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. Starting at the top of the vertical line, a long diagonal line going down to the right. Starting at the bottom of the diagonal line, another long diagonal line going up to the right. Starting at the top of the diagonal line, a long vertical line goes down on the right.
This is a lowercase m.
Salient Features: A medium vertical line on the left. Starting at the top of the vertical line, a curved line goes to the right and down. Starting at the top of the curve, another curved line goes to the right and down.
Uppercase M…
Lowercase m…
What words start with M?
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M
m
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m-m-mitten. Mitten starts with M.
Salient Features: Mittens have a wrist, a thumb space, and a large round finger space.
m-m-mouse. Mouse starts with M.
Salient Features: Mice have long thin tails, small rounded ears, and thin nose whiskers.
m-m-mop. Mop starts with M.
Salient Features: A mop has a long skinny handle with a bundle of pieces of cloth at the bottom.
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This is an uppercase N.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. Starting at the top of the vertical line, a long diagonal line goes down to the right. Starting at the bottom of the vertical line, a long vertical line goes up on the right.
This is a lowercase n.
Salient Features: A medium vertical line on the left. Starting at the top of the vertical line, a curved line goes to the right and down.
Uppercase N…
Lowercase n…
What words start with N?
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N
n
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n-n-nail. Nail starts with N.
Salient Features: Nails have a flat round top, long skinny body and sharp point at one end.
n-n-nest. Nest starts with N.
Salient Features: Bird nests are round and shaped like a bowl.
n-n-net. Net starts with N.
Salient Features: Nets have a long handle, and a round rim from which fabric or woven rope hang.
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This is an uppercase O.
Salient Features: A big closed circle.
This is a lowercase o.
Salient Features: A medium closed circle
Uppercase O…
Lowercase o…
What words start with O?
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O
o
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o-o-oven. Oven starts with O.
Salient Features: Ovens are shaped like a rectangle and have a handle and a door that opens.
o-o-ostrich. Ostrich starts with O.
Salient Features: An Ostrich has two long skinny legs and a long skinny neck that protrudes from a big round body.
o-o-orange. Orange starts with O.
Salient Features: Oranges are round and have a tough orange colored skin. This orange has a stem and a leaf.
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This is an uppercase P.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. A medium curve starting at the top on the right side of the line and ending in the middle of the line.
This is a lowercase p.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. A small circle on the top right, touching the line.
Uppercase P…
Lowercase p…
What words start with P?
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P
p
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p-p-pencil. Pencil starts with P.
Salient Features: Pencils are long and skinny with a flat round eraser on one end and sharp graphite point on the other.
p-p-pear. Pear starts with P.
Salient Features: Pears are shaped like ovals and often have a small stem and leaves.
p-p-pig. Pig starts with P.
Salient Features: Pigs have a snout and a curly tail.
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This is an uppercase Q.
Salient Features: A big closed circle. A small diagonal line across the bottom right of the circle.
This is a lowercase q.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the right. A small circle on the top left, touching the line.
Uppercase Q…
Lowercase q…
What words start with Q?
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Q
q
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q-q-quarter. Quarter starts with Q.
Salient Features: Quarters are big coins that are round and the color silver.
q-q-Q-tip. Q-tip starts with Q.
Salient Features: Q-tips have a long thin handle with fluffy cotton tips at both ends.
q-q-quail. Quail starts with Q.
Salient Features: A quail is a plump, short-necked bird with a small head and bill. Quails are brown and grey with a black face that has white stripes.
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This is an uppercase R.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left. A medium curve starting at the top on the right side of the line and ending in the middle of the line. A medium diagonal line starting in the middle of the vertical line and going down and to the right.
This is a lowercase r.
Salient Features: A small vertical line on the left. A small curve starting at the top of the line and going up and to the right.
Uppercase R…
Lowercase r…
What words start with R?
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R
r
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r-r-rake. Rake starts with R.
Salient Features: Rakes have a long handle and a rectangular row of metal or wooden tines, that look like fingers at the bottom end of the handle.
r-r-rose. Rose starts with R.
Salient Features: A rose is a flower that has multiple beautiful color petals that overlap to form the shape of a small cup. They a long stems with tiny prickly thorns and green leaves.
r-r-rabbit. Rabbit starts with R.
Salient Features: Rabbits have long ears, whiskers and short fluffy tails.
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This is an uppercase S.
Salient Features: A small curve at the top going from right to left. Leading into a diagonal line going down and to the right. Ends in a bigger curve going to the left.
This is a lowercase s.
Salient Features: A small curve at the top going from right to left. Leading into a diagonal line going down and to the right. Ends in a bigger curve going to the left.
Uppercase S…
Lowercase s…
What words start with S?
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S
s
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s-s-sock. Sock starts with S.
Salient Features: Socks have a long vertical section that covers the leg and a shorter horizontal section that covers the foot.
s-s-spoon. Spoon starts with S.
Salient Features: Spoons have a long skinny handle, and a curved scoop.
s-s-strawberry. Strawberry starts with S.
Salient Features: Strawberries are small bright red fruit. They are shaped like a cone and have green leaves on top.
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This is an uppercase T.
Salient Features: A a long vertical line down. A medium horizontal line centered across the top of the vertical line.
This is a lowercase t.
Salient Features: A a long vertical line down. A horizontal line crossing just above the middle of the vertical line.
Uppercase T…
Lowercase t…
What words start with T?
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T
t
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t-t-tree. Tree starts with T.
Salient Features: Trees have a trunk, branches and leaves.
t-t-table. Table starts with T.
Salient Features: Tables have a flat top surface and usually have four legs.
t-t-turtle. Turtle starts with T.
Salient Features: Turtles have a shell, four shot legs and a short pointy tail.
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This is an uppercase U.
Salient Features: A long vertical line on the left going down and curving to the right. The curve moves upward ending with a long vertical line going up on the right.
This is a lowercase u.
Salient Features: A short vertical line on the left going down and curving to the right. The curve touches the bottom of a short vertical line on the right.
Uppercase U…
Lowercase u…
What words start with U?
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U
u
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u-u-unicycle. Unicycle starts with U.
Salient Features: Unicycles are vehicles with one wheel. They have a saddle seat on top which is connected to a long metal tube which is connected to a circular wheel which has two pedals for your feet.
u-u-unicorn. Unicorn starts with U.
Salient Features: Unicorns are legendary creatures that have a long mane of hair, a long tail and four hooves. Unicorns have a pointy cone shaped horn on their forehead.
u-u-umbrella. Umbrella starts with U.
Salient Features: Umbrellas have a long handle that is connected to cloth that covers foldable pieces called ribs. When open, the cloth and ribs stretch out to form a circle shaped canopy which is held above a person’s head to keep away the rain or sun.
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This is an uppercase V.
Salient Features: A long diagonal line starting at the top left and going down and to the right. Starting at the bottom of the diagonal line, another diagonal line goes up and to the right.
This is a lowercase v.
Salient Features: A short diagonal line starting at the top left and going down and to the right. Starting at the bottom of the diagonal line, another short line goes up and to the right.
Uppercase V…
Lowercase v…
What words start with V?
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V
v
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v-v-vine. Vine starts with V.
Salient Features: Vines have long stems and leaves.
v-v-van. Van starts with V.
Salient Features: Vans are large passenger vehicles that have four wheels and four doors.
v-v-vest. Vest starts with V.
Salient Features: A vest is a sleeveless piece of clothing that is usually worn over a shirt.
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This is an uppercase W.
Salient Features: A long diagonal line starting at the top left going down and to the right. Starting at the bottom of the diagonal line, another long diagonal line goes up and to the right. Starting at the top of the diagonal line, another long diagonal line goes down and to the right. Starting at the bottom of the diagonal line, another longdiagonal line goes up and to the right.
This is a lowercase w.
Salient Features: A short diagonal line starting at the top left going down and to the right. Starting at the bottom of the diagonal line, another short diagonal line goes up and to the right. Starting at the top of the diagonal line, another short diagonal line goes down and to the right. Starting at the bottom of the diagonal line, another short diagonal line goes up and to the right.
Uppercase W…Lowercase w…
What words start with W?
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W
w
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w-w-whale. Whale starts with W.
Salient Features: Whales have a dorsal fin, blowhole and a tail.
w-w-wagon. Wagon starts with W.
Salient Features: Wagons have a basin, wheels and a handle.
w-w-watermelon. Watermelon starts with W.
Salient Features: A watermelon slice is shaped like a triangle and has small round black seeds.
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This is an uppercase X.
Salient Features: A long diagonal line starting in the top left and going down and to the right. Another long diagonal linen starting in the top right and going down and to the left. Both lines cross in the middle of the diagonal lines.
This is a lowercase x.
Salient Features: A short diagonal line starting in the top left and going down and to the right. Another short diagonal linen starting in the top right and going down and to the left. Both lines cross in the middle of the diagonal lines.
Uppercase X…
Lowercase s…
What words start with X?
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X
x
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x-x-xylophone. Xylophone starts with X.
Salient Features: Xylophones are percussion instrument that have a row of bars of various lengths which are arranged according to pitch and struck with mallets.
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This is an uppercase Y.
Salient Features: A short diagonal line starting in the top left and going down and to the right. Another short diagonal line starting in the top right and going down and to the left. The two diagonal lines meet at the bottom, where a short vertical line goes down.
This is a lowercase y.
Salient Features: A short diagonal line starting in the top left and going down and to the right. Another short diagonal line starting in the top right and going down and to the left. The bottom end of the short diagonal line touches the long diagonal line in the middle.
Uppercase Y…
Lowercase y…
What words start with Y?
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Y
y
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y-y-yarn. Yarn starts with Y.
Salient Features: Yarn is skinny and soft and can be cut with scissors into any length. It comes in many colors and can be rolled into a ball for storage.
y-y-yo-yo. Yo-yo starts with Y.
Salient Features: A yo-yo is a circle shaped toy with a string. The string makes a yo-yo move up and down.
y-y-yellow. Yellow starts with Y.
Salient Features: Yellow is a color.
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This is an uppercase Z.
Salient Features: A short horizontal line at the top. Starting on the right side of the horizontal line, a long diagonal line goes down and to the left. Starting at the bottom of the diagonal line, a short horizontal line goes to the right.
This is a lowercase z.
Salient Features: A short horizontal line at the top. Starting on the right side of the horizontal line, a long diagonal line goes down and to the left. Starting at the bottom of the diagonal line, a short horizontal line goes to the right.
Uppercase Z…
Lowercase z…
What words start with Z?
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Z
z
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z-z-zebra. Zebra starts with Z.
Salient Features: Zebra’s have a long face with a black nose, a mane, black and white strips, and hooves.
z-z-zucchini. Zucchini starts with Z.
Salient Features: Zucchini’s are long, oval shaped vegetable, that has a small stem at one end. Zucchini’s are usually dark green in color.
z-z-zipper. Zipper starts with Z.
Salient Features: Zippers are a type of fastener that is used to open and close clothing and bags. Zippers are usually made of metal or plastic teeth that fit together as you slide a tab along them to open or close.
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Copyright © 2023 Amy Shepherd, CVI Book Nook, LLC�This material is protected by copyright law.�Individuals are granted a limited license to download and edit this book/material for personal or educational use only.�All other rights are reserved.�Ownership of this content remains with Amy Shepherd and CVI Book Nook, LLC.