“I didn’t learn the alphabet until I was 11.”
1) 10-15 minutes
Start the class with a game. For young kids, Big Fish Games doesn't always do such a good job. So, in order to help them with the alphabet, a game using the alphabet song and some TPR (Total Physical Response) is useful. For example, you could use: ABCD Watermelon
In the game, they play the alphabet song but there are mistakes. When the game comes to these mistakes, make the kids figure out what the alphabet is and have them run out and touch the letter on the ABC Wall Cards and say the letter. Then, before letting them back into the room make them say the name of the object that is related to the letter (for example, t - tiger).
You can also use a video. For example,
ABC's & Counting 1-20 | Learning Songs | GiggleBellies
Using the video allows for more freedom when choosing what letter you want them to go out and locate. Also, this video has numbers if you want to incorporate some number TPR as well.
2) 20-25 minutes
Do the Big Little Cut exercise and the Finding Out 1-1 page. Use the AEIOU practice ppt to aid in these exercises.
During and after the activity you can play some of the letter videos available in the folder on your computer. Here are some examples
3) 10-20 minutes
Use the AEIOU Cards to play some class and outside TPR games. There are various games that can be played and it is advisable to mix normal games with the TPR-related alphabet activities.
Frist, you should establish a mime with each of the letters and objects. For example, to get them to remember a-apple, have them pretend to eat an apple.
Next, play a game where you put a set of the AEIOU cards outside on the ground. The students are in the classroom and you can pick one of the students. Show them a card (e-elephant), say e- elephant or the phonic sound of e and elephant and have them run out and grab the card.
Another game is where you tell them to count to ten and then you go outside and hide the card somewhere and they must find it.
Now, you can play some classroom games. Show them the cards and turn them upside down. Now, make them guess where one of the cards are. Another game is to have the cards on the table and make them slap the card that you shout.
A mix of TPR and memory game can be utilized next. Have the students bring their chairs out to the outside. Put the chairs next to one wall opposite where the letters are. In this game, you can introduce different commands such as walk, sit, stand and run. The goal is to have them do the actions along with you as you command them. Every once in a while, should a letter and object (o-octopus) and they must run over and touch it.
These are just some examples. If you have other TPR games, feel free to use them throughout the course. Other games will be introduced in other lessons as well.
5) 10-15 minutes
They should be tired and ready for a sit-down session. Play some of the Turn Letter Games like the examples below. There are three objects for each letter and the target word isn't always in the video or, if it is, not the first one. So, best if you scroll through the video until you get to the one you want. However, it isn't horrible if you just watch the videos...it can entertain and teach at the same time.
Follow up the videos with some ppt games along a similar vein: UNO Card Hidden Game - Big Little Letter Phonic Hidden Game
5) 10-20 minutes
In this activity, you will be working on big and little letter writing TPR. Using the Finding Out-1-2 page and the Write Touch AEIOU ppt, have the kids touch letter that is associated in the ppt. This can get a bit repetitive, so you will need to add variations in the game to keep them focused.