Recognise and write letters د ذ ر ز س ش ص ض (letters 8–14, split across two families)
F1Lesson 2 of 12◇ Core language
Letters 8–14 and Sun & Moon Letters — An Introduction
الحروف من 8 إلى 14 والحروف الشمسية والقمرية
Arabic Script & Sounds · Script and sound foundations
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Learning Objectives
Focus on these outcomes rather than trying to memorise everything at once.
Understand the concept of sun and moon letters at a basic level
Practise writing letters in isolation with correct direction
Lesson outline
- 10 minStarterRapid recall — last lesson's letters
- 10 minMain 1The paired letters: د ذ and ر ز
- 12 minMain 2The tooth family: س ش and the heavy pair: ص ض
- 15 minMain 3Sun and Moon Letters — first encounter
- 10 minPlenarySun or Moon? Sorting activity
Exam connection: This unit builds the script foundation for all subsequent units and all four exam papers. Paper 1 Listening and Paper 2 Reading both require students to process Modern Standard Arabic in script form.
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Vocabulary
Tap each card to reveal the meaning, category and example.
Three-step recall
- Say the Arabic aloud.
- Cover the meaning and recall it.
- Use six items in your own spoken or written sentences.
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Quizzes
Use the two short checks. Errors show you what to revise next.
Quiz 1 — Meaning check
0 / 61. What does الـ mean?
2. What does د mean?
3. What does ذ mean?
4. What does يَتَّصِل mean?
5. What does الحُروف الشَّمْسِيَّة mean?
6. What does قَمَر mean?
Quiz 2 — Match Arabic and English
العربية
English
Matched: 0 / 6
Stretch challenge
Choose three matched items and combine them into one accurate sentence or short exchange.
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Grammar
Read the rule, notice the pattern and then produce your own examples.
Core rule / strategy
Sun letters (الحروف الشمسية): assimilate with ال. Moon letters (الحروف القمرية): ال pronounced in full. Introduction only — full application in F3.
Notice the pattern
- د
- ذ
- ر
- ز
Accuracy checklist
- Check the subject and verb or noun/adjective agreement.
- Check gender, number and tense or time frame.
- Use the lesson structure in a complete, meaningful sentence.
- Read the sentence aloud and correct anything that sounds incomplete.
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Skills Practice
Practise listening, reading, speaking and writing with the same lesson language.
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Listening
Listen twice: first for the main idea, then for details.
اِقرَأْ بِصَوتٍ واضِح: د، ذ، ر، ز، س، ش، ص، ض، شَمْس، قَمَر. لاحِظِ الشَّكلَ والصَّوتَ واتِّجاهَ الكِتابة.
- What is the main topic?
- Write three Arabic words you recognise.
- What one detail can you hear or infer?
Teacher/partner guidance and possible answer
Read the Arabic text naturally twice. A successful answer identifies the lesson topic, any three accurate key words and one relevant detail from the text.
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Reading
Underline known words before answering.
اِقرَأْ بِصَوتٍ واضِح: د، ذ، ر، ز، س، ش، ص، ض، شَمْس، قَمَر. لاحِظِ الشَّكلَ والصَّوتَ واتِّجاهَ الكِتابة.
- What is the main topic of the text?
- Find two words or phrases connected with “Letters 8–14 and Sun & Moon Letters — An Introduction”.
- What specific detail can you identify?
- Which grammar structure from this lesson appears, or could be added?
Reading support
Start with names, numbers, repeated words, connectors and familiar verb patterns. You do not need to translate every word.
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Speaking
Build your answer, then ask a follow-up question.
- Explain the topic “Letters 8–14 and Sun & Moon Letters — An Introduction” in your own words.
- Use at least five items from the vocabulary section.
- Give an opinion or personal example and justify it.
- Ask and answer two follow-up questions with a partner.
Useful frame:في رَأيي... لِأَنَّ... أَيضاً... وَمِن جِهَةٍ أُخرى...
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Writing
Plan, write, check and improve.
Task: Write about Letters 8–14 and Sun & Moon Letters — An Introduction. Use at least eight vocabulary items, the lesson grammar and two connectors. Target: 40–60 words.
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Activities
Complete the activities in order, or choose the one that addresses your weakest area.
Starter10 min
Rapid recall — last lesson's letters
Flash each of the 7 letters from Lesson 1 (أ ب ت ث ج ح خ) on the board one at a time. You call out the name (choral). Then reverse: teacher or partner says the name, one student comes and writes it on the board. Quick and energetic — aim for all 7 in 6 minutes. Review any from homework exercise books (spot-check 4–5 books).
Main 110 min
The paired letters: د ذ and ر ز
Introduce د ذ (same shape, dot below for ذ) and ر ز (same shape, dot above for ز). These letters do NOT join to the letter that follows them — an important rule. Write on board and highlight with a red arrow: "joins only to the LEFT, never to the RIGHT." You copy letters 5 times each noting the non-joining rule.
Main 212 min
The tooth family: س ش and the heavy pair: ص ض
Introduce س ش (3 teeth, distinguished by 3 dots above for ش). Then ص ض (open loop — ص has no dot, ض has dot above). Drill all four in sequence. Write each letter 4 times. Pair practice: Partner A writes any letter from today on mini whiteboard, Partner B names it and says "joining" or "non-joining" (all today's letters join on both sides except د ذ ر ز from earlier).
Main 315 min
Sun and Moon Letters — first encounter
Study the word الشمس (the sun) and القمر (the moon). Explain: when ال (the) comes before a sun letter, the ل disappears into the letter sound (assimilation). When it comes before a moon letter, ال is pronounced in full. Play or say both words aloud clearly. Listen and repeat. Don't require full mastery yet — this is an introduction. Heritage You may already know this from Quran recitation — invite them to explain in their own words.
Plenary10 min
Sun or Moon? Sorting activity
Write 8 letters on the board (mix of sun and moon from letters learned so far). Write S or M in their books for each. Go through answers together. Then do a choral round of all 14 letters learned so far: teacher or partner points, You say the name in unison.
Useful resources
- Flashcards (د–ض)
- Sun & moon letter poster
- Alphabet writing worksheet (lines)
- Mini whiteboards if available
Stretch / heritage-reader challenge
Heritage readers: write الشمس and القمر in full and identify which letters in each word they already know from Quranic recitation. Attempt to write one more word using ال + a sun letter.
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Plenary
Finish with a quick check and one clear next step.
Key takeaways
- Recognise and write letters د ذ ر ز س ش ص ض (letters 8–14, split across two families)
- Understand the concept of sun and moon letters at a basic level
- Practise writing letters in isolation with correct direction
- Grammar focus: Sun letters (الحروف الشمسية): assimilate with ال. Moon letters (الحروف القمرية): ال pronounced in full. Introduction only — full application in F3.
Exit ticket
teacher or partner observation during pair activity. Sun/Moon sorting (self-marked in plenary).
Optional follow-up
Write the alphabet letters 1–14 from memory in order, leaving a box next to each. Tick if it is a sun letter, circle if moon letter. Check using class alphabet chart.
Confidence check
How secure do you feel after this lesson?
Remember: quick revision works best when you revisit weak vocabulary and correct errors, not when you try to complete everything in one sitting.