Alphabet

Why Use Alphabet

Being able to recognize and name the letters of the alphabet is an important early writing step. Understanding how sounds map to letters, and how those sounds develop words, help students learn how to write and supports their reading growth as well.

Alphabet Resources provide opportunities for students to write uppercase and lowercase letters and to explore the relationships between sounds and letters, paving the way for successful writing and reading.

• Students use letter cards and picture prompts to learn to identify, name, sound out, and write the letters of the alphabet
• Ruled exercise sheets for each letter of the alphabet provide practice in uppercase and lowercase letter formation

How to Use Alphabet

Games and activities provide practice for letter and word recognition and word building so that students begin to recognize that combinations of straight lines, curved lines, circles, and dots make up letters; that combinations of letters make up words, and that words are used to create sentences in pieces of writing.

Alphabet Cards, Letter Tiles

• Letter-Picture Match and Write: Hand out a letter tile, picture card, or alphabet card to each student. Write a letter on the board. The student whose picture begins with the letter or who has a matching letter tile or alphabet card stands up. That student says the letter, the word that corresponds to the picture, or both as appropriate to their card, with you emphasizing the correct answer and having the class echo what you've said. When students sit back down, they write or trace the letter on their card.
• Flash and Find: Pass out a set of picture cards to each student. Flash each letter tile and have students find the picture card that matches and write the letter below the picture. Use alphabet cards instead of picture cards and have students trace the letters as an alternative.
• Word Building: Pair students and provide each pair with a set of letter tiles to create CVC words. Set a timer for one minute. Have each pair of students quickly write down as many words as they can make with their letter tiles.

Alphabet Sheet

• Give students the alphabet sheet to place near where they write most often as an easy reference tool for letter/sound correspondences and letter formation. Alternatively enlarge the sheet to poster size and place it in your classroom where students can easily see it.

Handwriting

• Teach letter formation by having students write each letter of the alphabet. Introduce students to our lined handwriting sheets, which include uppercase and lowercase letter practice along with practice with at least two words that contain the letter.