The Letter Q
Basics on the topic The Letter Q
Introduction to the Letter Q
Embark on an alphabetic journey as we acquaint ourselves with the quirky letter Q. Often partnered with its sidekick, the letter U, the letter Q sets itself apart with its distinctive form and sound. Understanding and recognizing the letter Q is a crucial step in the exciting world of letters and words!
Understanding the Letter Q – Definition and Sounds
The letter Q is the 17th letter in the English alphabet and is known for its unique /kw/ sound, as heard in words like quick and question.
This consonant is rarely seen without the letter U following it, forming a duo that produces the distinctive sound that sets it apart from other letter combinations. Mastering the sound of the letter Q is a fundamental skill for budding readers and writers.
Letter Q Handwriting Practice
Writing the letter Q is an enjoyable exercise once you get the hang of it. To write the uppercase Q, start by drawing a circle similar to the uppercase O, then add a small diagonal line extending from the bottom right. For the lowercase q, start with a circle and extend a tail below the line, resembling a flipped number 9.
The Letter Q – Example Words and Sentences
The letter Q is unique and eye-catching, often appearing at the beginning and sometimes in the middle of words. For instance, Quincy the quail quickly quelled the quarrel. Here, the letter Q is used at the start of several words, demonstrating its distinctive sound and presence.
Words with the Letter Q
The letter Q is less common, but it still features prominently in many interesting words. Let's explore a list of words that highlight this letter:
| Begin With | Contain | End With |
|---|---|---|
| quail | request | |
| queen | equal | |
| quilt | liquid | |
| quick | square |
You may have noticed that the column of words ending with the letter or sound Q is empty. That is because it is very uncommon for any words in English language to end with this letter or sound.
The Letter Q – Summary
Key Learnings from this Text:
- The letter Q is unique with its /kw/ sound and is commonly followed by the letter U.
- Handwriting the letter Q involves creating a circle with a tail.
- Practice is essential for mastering the writing of both uppercase and lowercase Q.
Continue your exploration of the alphabet with fun activities, and don't forget to practice writing the letter Q. Soon, you'll be quick at spotting and writing this quintessential letter!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Letter Q
Transcript The Letter Q
Let’s join Dee and Kala in the phonics garden and learn all about "The Letter Q". This is the letter Q, it makes the sound /kw/. This is an uppercase Q and this is a lowercase one. They both make the /kw/ sound like in quack, quarter, and quiet! Let's practice the /kw/ sound with Kala! "/kw/, Q, /kw/!" Can you spy anything in the garden that begins with the letter Q? " There's a queen; that starts with the letter Q!" Is there anything else in the garden that starts with /kw/? "There's a quilt that also begins with the letter Q!" Uh-oh! Q is hiding with other letters! Can you help find the letter Q in the alphabet? Point to the letter when you find it! Did you also point here? You did some great work in the phonics garden! Today we learned all about the letter Q. We listened to and made the /kw/ sound! We found words that began with the letter Q and found it in the alphabet! Interested in a challenge? Watch this video again and see if you can find the quail, the question mark, and the quill in the garden! Comment below when you find them! If you want to learn more, check out the next letter in the alphabet, the letter R!"
The Letter Q exercise
-
Which one is the correct letter?
HintsListen carefully to the sound, play it again and think about what you can hear.
On Koko's card, there is a ____.
Look again at the picture above. What sound does this word start with?
SolutionThe correct letter is q. This makes the /qu/ sound.
-
What sound does the letter make?
HintsListen to all four sounds again. Which one is the same as the beginning of the word queen?
The word quill starts with the sound.
SolutionThe correct sound is /qu/.
-
Find the objects that have "qu" in them.
HintsThere are 4 items that have qu in them to highlight.
Listen to this word. Can you find it in the picture?
Listen carefully to the names of the objects.
SolutionThe four items that have the qu sound in are:
- quarter (of a cake)
- question
- square
- equals sign
-
What is the word?
HintsListen carefully to the sounds at the end of each word.
Here we can see the words with pictures. Use this to help you find the matching pairs above.
SolutionThe words are:
- quiz
- quit
- quick
- quack
-
Help Kala find the word that begins with "qu".
HintsListen to the sound. Which word begins with this sound?
Say all of the items out loud. In which one do you hear the /qu/ sound at the beginning?
There is one correct choice.
SolutionQuiet starts with /qu/.
-
Can you put the words in the correct group?
HintsListen carefully to this word. Do you hear the qu sound?
Say the word out loud. If you can't hear the qu sound, assign it to the correct group.
There are 2 words that have the qu sound in and 4 words that do not.
SolutionSquid and squeak have the qu sound in them.
Fish, pen, kitten, and clock do not have the qu sound in them.
