- Hello, readers and writers.

Welcome to Read, Write, ROAR.

Today, we're going to learn all about the letter Y.

We're going to read a special book to help us learn this tricky letter.

And we'll learn some new vocabulary words along the way.

For today's lesson, you're going to need something to write on, like a piece of paper or a notebook, and something to write with, like a pencil.

So go get your things, and we'll get started.

- [Narrator] This program is made possible in part by the Michigan Department of Education, the state of Michigan, and the W.K.

Kellogg Foundation.

Additional support by, and by viewers like you, thank you.

(upbeat music) (soft music) - Hi, I'm Mrs. Skelley.

And today you're going to be a letter hero.

You'll be learning the name, sound, and how to write the letter Y.

Learning how to read and write this letter is going to help you read and write many words.

Let's get started.

This is the letter Y.

This is the uppercase Y, can you say that?

Uppercase Y.

This is the lowercase Y, can you say that?

Lowercase Y, good.

Okay, now let's practice naming the letter Y.

Are you ready?

What letter is this?

Uppercase Y, good.

Okay, what letter is this?

Lowercase Y.

Okay, I might mix it up a little bit.

What letter is this?

Lowercase Y, last one, what letter is this?

Yes, it is the uppercase Y, great work.

The letter Y can be a tricky letter, because it can make different sounds.

It's such a tricky letter that later on, we're going to read a book to help us learn the letter Y.

So the letter Y can either make a consonant sound, or vowel sounds.

The consonant sound like the word yo-yo says Y, Y, yo-yo.

It can also make the I sound like in the word bicycle.

It can make the I sound like in the word cry.

Or it can make the E sound like in the word baby.

It can make so many sounds.

Today, we're just going to focus on the consonant sound, Y, like in the word yo-yo.

The consonant sound can also be heard like in the word yak, which is an animal that looks like a buffalo.

Listen to the beginning sound.

Y, Y, yak.

Or in the word yarn.

Let's listen to the beginning sound of yarn.

Y, Y, yarn.

This sound can be tricky to make.

To make this sound, you're going to put your tongue behind your bottom front teeth.

And when you make this sound, you're gonna open your mouth just a little bit like this.

Y, Y, Y.

You try it.

Y, Y, Y.

Great work.

Okay, let's practice making the sound that represents the consonant sound for the letter Y.

Ready?

Y, Y. Y, Y.

Good job.

Okay, now that we've practiced the name and sound for the letter Y, we're gonna practice finding it in a sentence.

Now later on, we're going to read a special book to help us learn the letter Y.

So I grabbed a sentence from the book, and wrote it down.

In this book, there are some characters.

One of them is called Yoko Yak.

She's a yak.

And one of them is called Alpha Betty.

She's the teacher.

So let's listen to the sentence.

And as I'm reading, you're gonna be on the lookout for the letter Y. Yay for you, Yoko Yak, cried Alpha Betty.

Wow, there's a lot of Y's and that sentence, isn't there?

I'm gonna get out my handy dandy, magnifying glass, and we're gonna look for the letter Y.

When you see it, take your finger, and point to it.

Here's the first word, the word yay.

Do you see the letter Y?

Can you point to it?

Wow, it's in there two times.

Let's take our highlighter, and highlight it.

I see an uppercase Y at the beginning of the word Y, Y, yay.

At the end of it, I see a lowercase Y.

Let's look at our next word.

For, do you see a Y in that word?

Nope.

You, do you see a Y in the word you?

Can you point to it?

There it is, right at the beginning.

A lowercase Y.

Listen to the beginning sound of that word.

Y, Y, you.

Our next word is Yoko.

Yoko is the character's name.

Do you see a Y in that name?

Yes.

Can you point to it?

Yoko starts with a capital Y, or an uppercase Y, because it's the beginning of her name.

And the next word is the word yak.

Do you see a Y in the name Yoko Yak?

Yes, there's another Y in the word yak.

It's another uppercase Y, because it's part of her name.

Let's keep reading.

The next word is cried.

Do you see a Y in the word cried?

No Y in that word.

The next word is Alpha.

Do you see a Y in that name, Alpha?

No Y.

And the last word is Betty.

Do you see a Y in the word Betty?

There it is at the end of the word.

Betty.

In this word, the why makes the vowel sound E. Great work finding the letter Y in a sentence from our book.

I can't wait to read it to you later.

All right, now that we've learned the name, sound, and we've found the letter Y in a sentence, we're going to practice writing the letter Y.

For this activity, you're gonna need something to write on, and something to write with.

But first, let me show you how to write the uppercase letter Y before we write it down.

For this letter, we're gonna start at the top of our line, slant down to the middle, back up, slant down to the middle, and straight down.

All right, now, before we write it down, let's put our finger in the air, and air trace it to get practicing before we write it on some paper.

Put your finger out, and trace it with me.

Start at the top, slant down, back up, slant down, and down.

Let's try it again.

Start at the top.

Slant down, back up, slant down, back up, and down.

One more time.

Start at the top.

Slant down, back up, slant down, back up, and down.

All right, now we're ready to write.

Get something to write with, so you can write along with us.

Here we go, let's start at the top.

Slant down, back up, slant down, and down.

Let's do it again.

Start at the top.

Slant down, back up, slant down, and down.

One more time.

Start at the top.

Slant down, back up, slant down, and down.

Great work.

What letter did we just write?

That's right, uppercase Y.

Okay, now we're going to learn how to write lowercase Y.

Let me show you how it works.

This time, we're gonna start in the middle.

We're going to slant down to the middle.

Now we're gonna slant down, down, down.

We're gonna go below our line.

All right, let's air trace it to practice before we write it down.

Put your finger in the air, and let's trace it together.

Start in the middle, slant down, back up, slant down, down, down, try it again.

Start in the middle, slant down, back up, slant down, down, down.

One more time.

Start in the middle.

Slant down, back up, slant down, down, down.

Great work, now we're ready to write.

Let's write our lowercase Y together.

Start in the middle, slant down, back up, slant down, down, down.

Try it again.

Start in the middle.

Slant down, back up, slant down, down, down.

One last time.

Start in the middle.

Slant down, back up, slant down, down, down.

Wow, great work.

What letter did we just write?

Yes, lowercase Y. Wow, you did such a great job learning about the letter Y.

Now remember, the consonant sound for the letter Y is Y, like in the word yak or yarn.

You did such a great job today, readers and writers.

Now look around your home, and see if you can find the letter Y.

(soft music) - Hello, and welcome.

I'm Ms. Amy, and I'm excited to share some mindful practices with you today.

Mindful practices are tools we can use when we need to pause and take a breath, own what we are feeling, and practice a quick stretch, or something that relaxes us.

We call this a pop check, and today we're going to stretch.

So imagine that you are a strong tree, and reach your feet down into the Earth, like you have roots.

Now, inhale, lift your arms up like the branches.

And as you exhale, your hands will fall like leaves, ah.

Ready, take a deep breath in.

Ah.

Oh, my leaves fell on my shoulders.

Take a deep breath in, where will yours fall?

Ah, oh, mine are on my head.

Take a deep breath in, and relax.

You can practice these pop checks anytime anywhere.

When you're feeling sad, or worried, or angry, you can find a quiet space like your room, a closet, even a bathroom, take a deep breath, stretch, and twist your worries out.

That's what I do, and it helps me feel better.

Thank you for sharing these mindful practices with me today.

Let's get together again soon.

(soft music) - Do you know someone who likes to talk a lot, or maybe do you like to talk a lot?

Well, today we're going to read a story about an animal that loves to talk.

This story is called Yoko Yak's Yakety Yakking.

Now usually yakking means talking a lot, but in this story, there's a character named Yoko Yak.

A yak is an animal that looks like this, kind of like a buffalo.

And in this story, Yoko, they call her yakkety yak, because she loves to talk.

Let's take a look at the cover.

Here's the title.

Yoko Yak's Yakety Yakking.

Look at the pictures.

This book is fiction, which means it's not real.

It's a story.

We can tell that by looking at the pictures, they're drawings or illustrations.

In the pictures, the animals are wearing clothes, and they talk.

So that's how we know it's fiction.

This book is written by Barbara deRubertus.

She's the author.

She's the one that wrote the words, and it's illustrated by R.W.

Alley.

They're the one that drew the pictures.

This book is read aloud with permission by the publisher, Boyd Mills and Kane.

Yoko Yak's Yakety Yakking.

Now, as we're reading, we're going to listen for some tricky words.

Alpha Betty's class.

They're all the kids in the classroom.

"Yoko Yak yanked back the covers, and bounced out of bed.

She had so much to tell her friends about her adventure yesterday.

Yodel-ady, Yoko sang in the shower.

Yay for school today, Yoko chanted as she dressed.

Mama Yak called to Yoko.

Are you ready for breakfast?

Yip, yap, yup, Yoko yelled back."

Wow, this book has a lot of Y words.

It uses the letter Y lot, just like in Yoko's name.

"Yogurt's yum, yum, yummy in my tum, tum, tummy, Yoko chattered as she ate.

Don't talk with your mouth full, Yoko, said Papa Yak.

Don't talk, period, please, said Yoko's younger sister Yolanda.

You're always yakety yakking.

I am not, Yoko yelped."

Now remember, yakety yakking means talking lot.

Yoko zipped into the yard at Alpha Betty's school.

Yo, Polly, she yelled.

Yo, Sammy, yo, Bobby, I went kayaking yesterday.

Alpha Betty rang the bell.

She smiled at Yoko.

Alpha Betty is their teacher.

We all want to hear about your kayak adventure.

Today is a very busy day, but tomorrow afternoon, we'll have sharing time.

You can tell us about your trip then.

But Yoko couldn't wait.

She started telling Polly Porcupine about the kayak trip during math.

We kayaked down Coyote Canyon, said Yoko.

Sh, whispered Polly.

We're supposed to be doing math.

During silent reading time, Yoko started telling Sammy Skunk about the kayak trip.

Sammy put his fingers to his lips.

We're supposed to be reading silently."

Uh oh, is Yoko's yakking, or talking a lot, getting her into some trouble?

"Next it was time for art.

Alpha Betty smiled at Yoko.

You can draw a picture of your kayak trip.

Okay, said Yoko.

But Yoko also wanted to talk about her kayak trip.

She started whispering to Bobby Baboon.

Bobby put a hand over his ear.

I can't think when you're yakking in my ear, Yoko.

You're a very yakety yak today.

Yoko burst into tears.

Alpha Betty hurried back to Yoko's desk.

Bobby called me a yakety yak, Yoko yowled.

Bobby said, I'm sorry, Yoko.

I do want to hear about your kayak trip, but not right now.

Alpha Betty whispered to Yoko.

Tell us about your trip with your drawing.

And if you can be a quiet little yak during class time, you may talk first during sharing time tomorrow."

Do you think she's gonna be able to do it?

Do you think she'll be able to be quiet during class time, and wait for sharing time?

Let's see what happens.

"The next morning, Yoko was early for breakfast.

She was wearing her Coyote Canyon T-shirt.

She was holding her Coyote Canyon yo-yo, and she was absolutely quiet.

Yolanda looked at Yoko, then she looked at Papa.

What's wrong with Yoko?

She's not yakking.

Yoko dipped her toast in egg yolk, and popped it into her mouth.

She smiled at Yolanda as she chewed with her mouth shut."

This isn't like Yoko at all.

"When Yoko arrived at school, she smiled, and waved to her friends.

She smiled and waved at Alpha Betty.

Yoko waited for math to begin.

She was very quiet.

Are you okay, said Polly Porcupine.

Yoko nodded yes, and said nothing."

Wow.

"During reading, Yoko was also very quiet.

Are you okay, asked Sammy Skunk.

Noko nodded yes, and said nothing.

When it was time for art, Yoko was still very quiet.

Are you okay, asked Bobby Baboon.

Yoko nodded yes, and said nothing.

Finally, it was sharing time.

Alpha Betty announced, Yoko, you may go first."

This is our first tricky word, the word announced.

"Yoko ran to the front of the classroom.

She smiled, and said nothing.

She showed everyone her two drawings of kayaks.

She pointed to her yellow Coyote Canyon T-shirt.

She demonstrated her yellow Coyote Canyon yo-yo."

This is our next tricky word, the word demonstrated.

"All without saying a word.

The class began laughing, and chanting yakety yak, please come back.

Yakety yak, please come back.

Yoko laughed too, and then she began to talk.

My kayak bounced over waves.

I was soaked by water spray.

And when I yelled, it echoed in Coyote Canyon, but I can be a quiet yak as well as a yakety yak.

And I made up a yodel about it last night.

Yodel for us, Yoko, yelled the class.

First Yoko whispered.

Oh, a yakety yak can be quiet, as quiet as can be.

A yodel-odel-odel, and a yip, yip, yippee.

Then Yoko chanted loudly, and a yakety yak can yodel.

A yakety yak can yak.

A yodel-odel-odel, and a yak, yak, yak.

Yay for you, Yoko Yak, cried Alpha Betty.

And you proved you can be a quiet yak and a clever yak."

Clever means smart.

"Said Polly.

And a funny yak, said Sammy.

And a yodeling yak, laughed Bobby.

Then everyone cheered, yay for Yoko Yak.

And everyone did the Yakety Yak Yodel."

The end.

Wasn't that a great story?

So in this story, the main character, Yoko Yak, wanted to share with the class the entire story, didn't she?

She was yakking the entire time until her teacher told her to be quiet.

The teacher said she had to wait to share about her kayaking adventure.

When Yoko learns to wait, she has patience.

(upbeat music) Sometimes it's difficult to show patience, or calmly wait for something, isn't it?

In this story, Yoko Yak had a hard time with patience at the beginning, but she learned to calmly wait for her turn to share.

Well, today, I'm going to show you a strategy that you can use to work on your patience.

It's a breathing strategy.

So you can stand up.

You can put your hands on your belly, so you can feel your belly go in and out with your breaths.

Sometimes I like to use this strategy when I'm having trouble with my patience, calmly waiting for something.

I want you to close your eyes, and imagine a flower right in front of you.

A flower that smells really good.

Through your nose, I want you to smell the flower.

Take a deep breath, feel your belly expand out.

And now I want you to pretend like there's a candle in front of you that you're gonna blow out with your mouth.

Blow out the candle.

Close your eyes, smell the flower, make your belly go out.

Now you're gonna blow out the candle, and your belly's gonna go back in.

Try it again.

Smell the flower, now blow out the candle.

You can use this strategy anytime where you need to show patience, or calmly wait for something.

(soft music) As we were reading our book today, we learned three new words.

The words announced, demonstrated, and patience.

Let's learn a little bit more about each of those words.

Our first word is the word announced.

Can you say that word?

Good.

The word announced means to say something out loud to others, announced.

Let's listen, and clap the syllables in the word announced.

Ready?

Announced.

Let's count out the syllables, announced.

It has two syllables.

Let's look for the word announced in the book.

In the book, it says, "Finally it was sharing time.

Alpha Betty announced, or said out loud, to others, Yoko, you may go first."

The teacher was saying out loud to the class that she may go first for sharing time, announced.

Let's use the word announced in a sentence.

I announced to my family that I was ready for bed, because I was really tired.

Say that word one more time with me, announced.

Great job.

Our next word is the word demonstrated.

Can you say that word?

Yes, demonstrated.

The word demonstrated means to show others how to use or do something, demonstrated.

Let's listen and clap the syllables in the word demonstrated.

It's a long word.

Clap it out with me, ready?

Demonstrated.

Let's count it out.

Demonstrated.

There are four syllables in the word demonstrated.

Let's check it out in the book.

In the book, it said, "She showed everyone her two drawings of kayaks.

She pointed to her yellow Coyote Canyon T-shirt.

She demonstrated, or showed, to her class her yellow Coyote Canyon yo-yo all without saying a word."

She's showing to her class what she can do with her yo-yo.

She's demonstrating to others.

Let's use the word demonstrated in a sentence.

I demonstrated my swimming skills to my friends at the pool.

Can you say that word one more time?

Demonstrated.

Good, all right, let's learn our last new word.

Our last word is the word patience.

Can you say that word?

Good, patience means to calmly wait for something.

Patience.

Let's listen for the syllables, and clap the syllables in the word patience.

Clap it out with me.

Patience.

Let's count the syllables, patience.

There are two syllables in the word patience.

All right, let's check out the book.

In the book, it doesn't actually use the word patience, but Yoko Yak shows patience towards the end of the story.

During writing time, she doesn't even talk.

She's waiting for her turn to share, and she doesn't interrupt during writing time.

During reading time, she doesn't even talk.

She waits for her turn, and does what her teacher asked her to do during reading time.

And during coloring time, she doesn't even talk.

She waits for her turn until it's time to share.

She shows patience.

She waits calmly for her turn, patience.

Can you say that word with me one more time?

Patience.

Great job.

You learned three new words today, announced, demonstrated, and patience.

Try these words with someone at home (upbeat music) Today, we learned about the letter Y.

We also read a book about patience, and learned some new vocabulary words.

Great work today, readers and writers.

Thank you so much for learning with me.

I'll see you next time on Read, Write, ROAR.

- [Narrator] This program is made possible in part by the Michigan Department of Education, the state of Michigan, and the W.K.

Kellogg Foundation.

Additional support by, and by viewers like you, thank you.

(upbeat music)