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Madalyn Bitner, Kindergarten Intervention Specialist
The Importance of Letter Recognition
The Importance of Letter Recognition
Letter recognition is the ability to name and recognize all 26 uppercase letters, and all 26 lowercase letters used in the English language. That is 52 letters in all! Wow! Letter recognition is the foundational part of learning how to read. Without this foundation, students will struggle to learn their letter sounds, as well as learn how to read words. (Lynch, 2020). As educators, we must create interactive and engaging activities for our students to ensure that they learn their letters in fun, yet educational ways! Below, four hands-on activities can be found that reinforce letter recognition skills.
(Rodriguez, n.d.).
Letter Smash
Letter Smash
Each student will receive a Letter Smash game board, as well as some Play-Doh. The teacher will call out each letter, holding up the letter card. The students will smash a ball of Play-Doh on that letter, repeating the letter as they do so.
(Hudgeons, 2020)
Alphabet Sand
Alphabet Sand
Each student will receive a sand tray. The teacher will hold up a letter card, and will ask the students to name the letter. The students will then write the letter in their sand tray. To "erase" the letter, the students will slightly shake their tray.
(School Time Snippets, 2015)
ABC Basketball
ABC Basketball
Basketball letter cards will be placed around the room. The students will pick up a card, say the letter, and if they get it correct, they can shoot it in the hoop! If they get it incorrect, allow for them to choose another letter, and have them pick a friend to try the one they struggled with. *If you don't have a basketball hoop handy, use a trash can!*
(Teach With Me, n.d.).
ABC Parking Lot
ABC Parking Lot
The students will be given a parking lot mat, as well as matchbox cars with letters on them. The students will be required to "park" the cars in the matching parking spot! You can match uppercase to uppercase, uppercase to lowercase, or lowercase to lowercase; whatever the child needs to work on!
Letter recognition is crucial to our students learning. It is one of the most important foundational reading skills that ensures reading success. As educators, we should try to incorporate hands-on, interactive activities to keep our students motivated and engaged. Lynch (2020) tells readers that research has shown that playing with letters leads to an interest in letter sounds, as well as reading. With the use of these activities, it is my hope that your students reading skills will grow tremendously! I hope you enjoy! ☺︎
If you are interested in downloading any of these activities, click on the activity name below to be directed to the website!
References
References
Hudgeons, M. (2020). Alphabet Letter Formation Mats for Salt and Sand Writing Tray | Fine Motor. Teachers Pay Teachers. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Letter-Formation-Mats-for-Salt-and-Sand-Writing-Tray-Fine-Motor-4620209
Lynch, M. (2020). Understanding Letter Recognition and its Role in Preliteracy. The Edvocate. https://www.theedadvocate.org/understanding-letter-recognition-and-its-role-in-preliteracy/
Rodriguez, A. (n.d.). Letter SMASH | Letter Sound Game | Letter Recognition | Back to School. Teachers Pay Teachers. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Letter-SMASH-LetterSound-game-Letter-recognition-Back-to-School-3412452?st=daddc3c9f58a858ae29a51da2f090051
School Time Snippets. (2015). Basketball Alphabet Game for Preschoolers. School Time Snippets. https://www.schooltimesnippets.com/2015/07/fine-motor-alphabet-game-active-kids.html
Teach With Me. (n.d.). Free Alphabet Activities: "Park It!" An Alphabet Matching Game. Teachers Pay Teachers. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Alphabet-Activities-Park-It-An-Alphabet-Matching-Game-1999865?st=e521a99b789b31c044b56269040df39e
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