Learn About Letters Together: Uppercase Sort

Materials

26 paper or plastic cups
re-sealable plastic bags
paper alphabet squares

Standards

MA Standards:

Foundational Skills/RF.PK.MA.1.d: Recognize and name some uppercase letters of the alphabet and the lowercase letters in one’s own name.

Head Start Outcomes:

Literacy Knowledge/Alphabet Knowledge: Recognizes that the letters of the alphabet are a special category of visual graphics that can be individually named.

PreK Learning Guidelines:

English Language Arts/Reading and Literature 7: Develop familiarity with the forms of alphabet letters, awareness of print, and letter forms.

Learn About Letters Together: Uppercase Sort

ELA Focus Skills: Alphabet Awareness, Follow Directions, Fine Motor Skills, Letter Recognition, Sorting

Educator Prep: Before the activity you will need to prepare alphabet squares and cups. First determine how many groups will be working, then make a set of cups and alphabet squares for each group. Write one uppercase letter of the alphabet on the side of each cup. Cut 3-inch paper squares and label each one with an uppercase letter of the alphabet.

Place a set of ABC squares in each re-sealable plastic bag. Then:

Invite children to work in pairs or small groups.
Give each pair/group a bag of letters and a set of cups.
Have children put the letters into the correct cups.
Remind children to match the letter with the letter written on the cup.

Educator Tip: Guided and independent letter, sound, and word practice continues to take place in center activities. If desired, you can set up the literacy center (ABC Center or similar) immediately after the direct instruction and repeat instruction before children work in the center identifying letters.

Adaptation: As an added challenge for older children, make a set with common sight words instead of letters: a, the, is, that, you, of, in, and, it, to.

Adaptation: Pair younger children with older ones to help them identify/match/sort the letters.