What are helper words?; When to use 'a' and 'an'.; When to use 'the'.; When to use no helper word.; Let's practice!

Little Helper Words

English

Little Helper Words

We learned about 'a', 'an', 'the', and when to use no word.

Agenda

• What are helper words?

• When to use 'a' and 'an'.

• When to use 'the'.

• When to use no helper word.

• Let's practice!

Little Helper Words

These tiny words help us talk about things. They tell us if we mean one thing or a special thing.

Articles 'a', 'an', 'the' with children and a dog.

Helper Words for Nouns

Nouns are words for people, places, or things. Think of a 'teacher', 'school', or 'book'. Helper words always come right before these nouns!

Tree of word construction: helper words for nouns.

A big dog and a little dog in a forest.

Meet 'A' and 'An'

• We use 'a' and 'an' for one thing.

• It's a regular thing, not special.

• Like: a dog, a book.

• Like: an ant, an egg.

When to Use 'A'

We use 'a' when the next word starts with a consonant letter. Try saying 'a banana' or 'a chair'. We also say 'a dog' and 'a house'.

Practice with 'A'!

Let's practice saying 'a' before things. Look at the pictures and say 'a' first.

When to Use 'An'

We use 'an' before words that start with a special sound. These are words like 'an apple', 'an elephant', 'an ice cream', and 'an umbrella'. Listen for the A, E, I, O, U sound!

Apples arranged in pyramids on a checkered blanket.

Practice with 'An!'

Let's practice saying 'an' before words that start with a special sound! Look at the pictures and say 'an' first.

Child's joy: Balloons and the magic of expression.

Meet 'The'

• "The" is a helper word.

• For one special thing. (Like: the moon)

• For something we already know. (Like: the ball)

• We all know "the sun"!

Little Helper Words

What are helper words?; When to use 'a' and 'an'.; When to use 'the'.; When to use no helper word.; Let's practice!

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