Language: phonics and word knowledge

A to Z order

Put words in order by the letter they start with.

The alphabet runs from a to z, and it always runs in the same order. That order is how lists and dictionaries are arranged.

The rule

To put words in order, look at the first letter of each one. The word whose first letter comes earlier in the alphabet goes first.

A handy trick

Say the alphabet out loud and stop at the first letter you hear. That letter is the one that comes first.

Worked example

Put these in order: tree, kite, banana.

  1. Take the first letter of each word: t, k, b.

    Only the first letter matters when every word starts differently.

Try it together

Let us order three words together.

The words are pen, ant and dog.

    1.Which of the three words comes first? Write one word.

    Have a go

    Put these words in A to Z order.

    Tap the cards below in the right order.

    Ready to practise?

    Eight questions on what you have just read. Nothing is timed, and you can play as many times as you like.

    Print a worksheet