Alphabet Knowledge (AK)

Anchor Charts & Instructional Charts

Alphabet Learning Sequence

While we know it is best to begin letter learning by exposure to letters in a variety of forms (magnetic letters, name cards, name puzzles, letter puzzles, etc.) at some point we want to make sure students are taught all the names and sounds of the letters. There are several suggested orders to 'teaching' the letter names and sounds. One article, In What Order Should You Introduce Letters to Your Preschooler?, I found suggested these ways:

Letter Land

• s a t i p n

• c k e h r

• m d g o

• l f b q u

• j z w

• v y x

Here’s the order used in Montessori schools (introducing the letters 2, 3, or 4 at a time) as well as suggested in Montessori Matters by Sister Mary Ellen Carinato et al:

• s m t a p f c

• r b l i g n d

• h j k w o u v

• y z x q e

Here’s the order suggested in How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin:

• First set: c m a t

• Second set: s r i p

• Third set: b f o g

• Fourth set: h j u l

• Fifth set: d w e n

• Sixth set: k q v x y z

Here’s an order used in some other Montessori schools:

• First set: m s a t

• Second set: b f o x

• Third set: w i g l j

• Fourth set: c u p z

• Fifth set: h e n r d

• Sixth set: v k q y

And here’s another order used by some Montessori schools:

• First set: r a m f

• Second set: b i t g

• Third set: p o n l

• Fourth set: h u s c

• Fifth set: d e x q y

• Sixth set: z v w j k

This order was suggested in the post “Are Sandpaper Letters Enough?” by Cathie Perolman at the Trillium Montessori blog.

• Red- s, m, a, t

• Orange- c, r, i, p

• Yellow- b,f,o, g

• Green- h,j,u,l

• Blue- d,w,e,n

• Purple- kqvxyz

Alphabet Letter/Sound Reference Chart

For students who are working on early invented spelling (labeling pictures with beginning sounds) An alphabet linking chart might be used with these students to help them as they connect the sound they hear at the beginning of a word and the letter. If possible expose the students to the letter/sound visuals they will use in Kindergarten.