Bayt Al-Quran: Noorani Qaida-Lesson#16|Friday
Learning the Arabic Letters: Yaa (ي) and Taa Marboota (ة) with Fathah (ـَ)
Once upon a time in the Land of Letters, two special characters lived who didn’t say much but had a big job in the world of Arabic words.
The first was Yaa (يَ)—a curious little letter with a long, curly tail. Yaa loved to travel. Unlike some of the other letters who only liked to stand at the start or finish of a word, Yaa was a connector—he could hold hands with letters before and after him, slipping quietly into the beginning, middle, or end of words without a fuss. With a Fathah on top, he made a cheerful “ya” sound, like calling out to a friend: “Yaa Salaam!” His sound was light and quick, not long and stretchy like in other situations.
Yaa dreamed of building words and going on adventures—sometimes helping form names, sometimes linking beautiful Quranic words together. But no matter where he appeared, that little tail made him easy to spot.
Just across the valley was Taa Marboota (ةَ)—a gentle, shy letter who only appeared at the end of words. She wore a neat little circle like a bow on her head and only spoke when you looked directly at her. “Ta,” she would say softly, only when followed by a vowel, like her friend Fathah. But if you stopped at her during recitation, she’d whisper instead—turning into a soft “h” sound. Mysterious, right?
Taa Marboota loved to add meaning. She made words feminine, delicate, and full of beauty. While she never stood at the beginning or middle of a word, she loved completing them with quiet grace. You’d find her in words like رحمة (rahmah) and جنة (jannah)—some of the most beautiful in the Quran.
And so, in this lesson, we meet Yaa the Traveller and Taa Marboota the Ending Artist. Two very different letters with one thing in common: they help shape the rhythm, meaning, and melody of the Arabic language—and open the door to deeper understanding of the Quran.
So, let’s begin!
Key Learning Points of This Lesson:
Focused Introduction to يَ and ةَ Sounds
This lesson introduces children to the proper pronunciation and recognition of the Arabic letters يَ (Yaa with Fathah) and ةَ (Taa Marboota with Fathah). It lays a strong phonics foundation and supports early Arabic reading skills.
Exploring Letter Connections in Words
Children explore how يَ and ةَ appear and change form when connected to other letters in Arabic. They practice identifying these letters at the beginning, middle, and end of words to boost their reading fluency.
Writing and Pronunciation Practice
With guided tracing exercises and pronunciation drills, students learn to confidently write يَ and ةَ, and articulate their sounds with clarity.
Sound Repetition for Memory Strengthening
To reinforce memory, children engage in repetition-based activities like echo reading and sound games focused on يَ and ةَ, helping the sounds become second nature.
Visual Learning with Flashcards
Colorful flashcards pair each letter—يَ and ةَ—with familiar objects or images, enhancing recognition through strong visual associations.
Word Building Using يَ and ةَ
Children begin forming and reading simple words using يَ and ةَ, applying previously learned letters to build vocabulary and confidence in word recognition.
Letter Recognition Through Playful Activities
Games and interactive activities help children spot يَ and ةَ in a variety of settings—on worksheets, posters, and classroom materials—making recognition fun and engaging.
Learning Through Stories
Short, age-appropriate Arabic stories featuring words with يَ and ةَ provide real-life context. Simple English translations support comprehension and bilingual growth.
Printable Worksheets for Home Practice
Take-home worksheets allow students to review, trace, and practice writing يَ and ةَ independently, reinforcing what they’ve learned in class.
🎥 Watch Today’s Lesson Video:
Let’s Dive into يَ and ةَ Fun!
Grab your activity sheet, pick your brightest colors, and get ready to meet two of Arabic’s quiet stars!
يَ (Yaa with Fathah) pops in with a friendly “ya!”, like you're starting a happy hello. And ةَ (Taa Marboota with Fathah)? She’s a little mysterious—sometimes she says “ta!”, but if you pause, she’ll just smile and whisper.
These letters are full of charm and personality. A few fun minutes each day is all it takes to make their sounds stick and sparkle in your memory!
Fun Activities
1. "Find the Friendly Ya & the Shy Ta!" – Letter Hunt Game
Materials: Flashcards or printed Arabic words with يَ and ةَ, timer (optional)
How to Play:
Scatter flashcards or word cutouts around the room—some with يَ, some with ةَ, and others with different letters.
Call out: “Find the Friendly Yaa!” or “Find the Shy Ta!”
Kids race to find and collect cards with the correct letter.
Bonus: Ask them to say the sound (“ya!” or “ta!”) each time they find one.
📚 What it teaches: Visual recognition, sound association, and distinguishing letter positions.
2. "Trace and Tell" – Story Building with Letters
Materials: Printable tracing sheets, crayons or markers
How to Play:
Kids trace يَ and ةَ while saying the sounds aloud.
Then, they draw a small picture that includes a word with that letter (like a boat for سفينة or a gift for هدية).
Encourage them to make up a short story using that word!
🎨 What it teaches: Writing practice, creativity, and vocabulary connection.
3. "Sound & Gesture Match" – Movement Game
Materials: None!
How to Play:
Assign a fun gesture to each letter:
For يَ: Hands up like you're waving "yaa!"
For ةَ: Finger to lips for a soft “ta!” or “shhh”
Call out a letter sound or show a flashcard, and kids must do the correct gesture + sound.
Speed it up for a challenge!
🕺 What it teaches: Kinesthetic memory, pronunciation, and quick recognition.
Skills in Focus:
Letter recognition, beginning/ending sound awareness, and shape-sound connection.
How did your child engage with Lesson 16? We’d love to hear all about it! Feel free to share a comment, a snapshot of their worksheet, or even a quick video—Teacher Noura would be so happy to celebrate their effort and send a little note of encouragement, inshaAllah.
Every new letter brings your child one step closer to reading Arabic with confidence and joy. You’re doing something truly special—nurturing their love for the Quran, one sound, one smile, and one letter at a time. Keep going—this journey is beautiful because of you!