The recognition of letters by symbol, and that letters associate with specific sounds to make meaning.
Reading achievement is highly correlated to a kindergarten student’s ability to recognize and understand letters.
Being able to hear the sound of each letter is the next essential skill.
Striving toward letter and sound automaticity together and separately is an important component of a balanced program for the kindergarten year.
Use your programs of study for curriculum outcomes related to alphabetic connections.
Please refer to CESD’s Essential Outcomes work if you are using the previous Alberta Curriculum (Grade 7+).
Here is the New Alberta ELAL Curriculum, from the New Learn Alberta website, laid out like a scope and sequence.
Consistently monitor and track the number of sounds and symbols that students can recognize and use.
Isolate unknown letters from known letters. Focus on unknown letters.
Assessments:
EICS Phonological Awareness Assessment Tool
Letter Name and Sound Assessment Information (example assessment linked on this page) – Reading Rockets
Alphabet Letter Naming – Reading A-Z
Letters are shapes.
Letters have names.
Letters are put together to make words.
Words are what we say.
Letters have a sequence called the alphabet.
Most letters have one sound.
Some letters have more than one sound.
Letters are formed in a specific way.
There are upper and lower case letters.
Letters are printed in a certain way.
Names are printed in a certain way.
Manipulate letters using a variety of fonts/mediums/sizes/textures.
Identify the similarities and differences between configurations of letters (i.e. curves, lines, height).
Repeated readings of the alphabet.
Locate letters in environmental print (e.g. find the “M” in McDonalds).
Read and review the alphabet chart and build in visual and kinesthetic movements.
Match letters
Match letters to sounds
Identify upper and lower case letters
Say alphabet in order
Name letters
We Can Assessment – Marilyn Pottage
The CESD Kindergarten Skill and Screening Tool
Yopp Singer Assessment
Elkonin Boxes – Yopp Singer
Alphabet books
Alphabet Puzzles
Salt Boxes
Guessing Bags
Plasticine
Body Shapes for letters
Hide and Find – Place letters in the sand center
Magnetic letter board
Alphabet cereal
Alphabet macaroni
Old MacDonald Song “ using letters/sounds”
Bingo
Find personal connections to the child – eg. Letters in their names, bring their own items for guessing bags, etc.
Multi-sensory approach – touch, build, move, talk, sing, dance, clap, paint, draw, etc.
Repetition and daily practice – some children will need more frequent opportunities to practice
Working with speech pathologists or other specialists
Collaborate with LST members.
Banks of letter manipulatives Michelle created for use in Google Slides
Banks of Dolch sight word manipulatives Michelle created for use in Google Slides