Using Word Boxes

By Ellen Weber, Ed.S., CCC-SLP 2009

Start

When you first learn to write, your paper looks something like this.

There is a top line.

And there is a dotted line in the middle.

There is a bottom line.

These lines help us know where to draw the lines for our letters.

Suppose we want to put each letter in a box, just like shoes come in a box when you buy them.

Shoes come in all different sizes, and so do letters.

Some are small, so they need a small box.

Some are big, so they need a big box.

We need to find a box that is just the right size for our shoes.

Now let’s learn how to find the right size box for our alphabet letters.

Some letters go all the way from the bottom line to the top line.

We could call these TALL letters.

Let’s see if we can find the right box.

Which box fits our capital letter T?

The TALL one?

Or the SHORT one?

Let’s try both of them and see … The letter T is a tall letter, and it fits into a tall box.

See how the top sticks out of the short box? It doesn’t fit.

Not every letter is a tall letter. Let’s try some different letters.

See how the letter O only goes from the bottom line to the dotted line in the middle?

It does not go all the way to the top line.

Letters that go from the bottom line to the middle line are SHORT letters.

Too much empty space! This box is too big.

Let’s see which box fits our letter O.

The short letter fits nicely in the short box.

The short box only goes up to the dotted line in the middle.

Notice how the tall box goes all the way up to the top line.

Let’s try a few more!

Which box do you think would fit a tall letter?

See how the capital M goes all the way up to the blue line on top?

The short box only goes up to the middle dotted line.

Which box do you think would fit a short letter?

This box is better.

The lower case r only goes up to the dotted line in the middle.

Which box would fit a tall letter?

Where is the top of the letter b?

Do you know why this is correct?

This box is too short.

Let’s try a few more!

Click on the box you think would fit the letter.

Let’s see why.

Yes, the tall box goes all the way to the top line just like the capital letter D

Let’s try another one!

Click on the box that fits the lower case letter A.

The short box fits just right!

Now let’s try it the other way.

I’ll give you a box, and you find a letter that fits inside the box .

Tall box Click on a tall letter to go in the tall box.

Here’s another one.

Click on a short letter to go in the short box.

Short box

Click on a letter that fits inside the short box.

Look how high the top of the letter L goes.

Short box

Click on a letter that fits inside the tall box.

Tall box

Click on a letter that fits inside the box.

Tall box

Now that we have learned about tall letters and short letters, let’s talk about one more kind – long letters.

g j p q y

These are the letters that look like they have a tail hanging down below the bottom red line.

A long letter needs a long box. Can you find it?

g

For long letters, we have to look at how far down the letter goes. Does it go to the red line or below it?

Which one looks right?

g g

Uh oh! What’s wrong with this one?

His tail is sticking out!

Now that we have learned about all the sizes of letters and their boxes, let’s practice a few…

p

Does the letter p fit in a long box or a short box?

Click on your choice.

c

Click on the box that fits the letter.

Letters with dots above them, like j and i, are tricky. Don’t worry about fitting the dot in the box. Just ignore it! Only the letter goes into the box, not the dot.

j

Find the box that fits the letter.

Try another one. Find the right box.

s

Now let’s try some words. Which set of boxes would fit?

Click on them.

go

Let’s look at those to see why.

go go g o

These boxes are too big.

His tail is hanging out. That box is too small.

These boxes are just right!

Let’s try another word.

The

tall tall short tall short tall short tall tall tall tall short

Let’s Review. Letters will fit in tall boxes, short boxes, or long boxes.

Now you know how to use letter boxes.

They can help you with spelling and handwriting as you learn to see the SHAPES of words.

The End.