| Preschool is the ideal time to develop and enhance | | | | In this activity students learn the shape of each letter |
| students' understanding of written and spoken | | | | by creating the shape with their body. |
| language. The letters of the alphabet are the basic | | | | Divide students in to groups of three or four. |
| building blocks that lie at the heart of communication, | | | | Students will need a large clear space for this activity |
| both spoken and written. | | | | so move desks and chairs out of the way. |
| Preschool students should be encouraged to develop | | | | Have a fun version of the ABC song playing. Stop the |
| concepts of print, alphabetical awareness and | | | | music and call out a letter. |
| phonological awareness - these concepts are the | | | | Each group must quickly lie on the floor and form the |
| cornerstones on which to build reading skills. | | | | shape of the letter. If a student is not needed they can |
| Preschoolers should be encouraged to love reading | | | | help by calling out the letter when asked. |
| and feel happy and confident about the reading | | | | 3. THE NAME GAME |
| process. For this to occur, you must ensure that all | | | | Children write their name on a piece of paper. The |
| students grasp the basic concepts, regardless of | | | | teacher shows the class a large flashcard with a |
| individual ability level. | | | | particular letter of the alphabet written on the flashcard. |
| As a class, your students will begin to associate words | | | | When the letter is shown, students must cross that |
| with pictures and understand that letters have very | | | | letter of their name from their card. |
| special shapes, sounds and names. They will learn that | | | | When all possible letters of the first, middle and last |
| these letters form words and that these words have | | | | name are crossed out, students call out 'THE NAME |
| meaning. Reading is the next vital step. | | | | GAME'. As each student finishes they earn a reward |
| The following activities can be used to interactively | | | | point or a sticker. As students become more confident, |
| teach the ABC's. | | | | familiar sight words can be used to play the game. |
| 1. POWERPOINT ABC's | | | | 4. Big A, Little A |
| PowerPoint presentations can be used to encourage | | | | On large pieces of Cardboard, laminate Uppercase |
| visual learning skills and to help students begin to make | | | | and Lowercase letters. Divide students in to groups |
| the connection between letters, sounds, words and | | | | and have each group match the big A with the little a, |
| pictures. | | | | the big B with the little b and so on. |
| Create a PowerPoint presentation. Each slide should | | | | 5. A PICTURE TELLS A THOUSAND WORDS |
| contain a letter of the alphabet. After each slide include | | | | Show students a range of images and have the |
| five words beginning with the letter, and five | | | | students call out the letter that the word connected to |
| corresponding pictures of the words that you have | | | | the image begins with. |
| chosen. Students read the letter together, the teacher | | | | Useful Computer Lessons... |
| sounds out each of the five words phonetically and | | | | Teacher tube has many video files containing teachers |
| the class reads out the letter that each of the words | | | | and students rapping the ABC's. Download these files |
| begins with. Students are then shown a picture of | | | | on to PowerPoint, if you have access in your |
| each word. | | | | classroom, or, play on a laptop or computer to your |
| 2. HUMAN ALPHABET | | | | class. |