- Between the Lions alphabet chart
- letter cards “Dd” and “Ee”
- name cards
- word cards down and engine
MA Standards:
English Language Arts/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: Target Letters (“Dd,” “Ee”) and Words (down, engine)
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
ELA Focus Skills: Letter Recognition, Vocabulary, Word Recognition
Educator Prep: Before the activity hide multiple copies of the word cards down and engine and the letter cards “Dd” and “Ee” around the room.
Reinforce recognition of the letters “Dd” and “Ee” and the words down and engine by having children hunt for them in the room.
Suggest that children look for the letters and words on charts, name cards, word cards, and in book titles and stories. Ask each child to find at least two examples of each letter and word and then “read” them aloud to you. Circulate in areas where there are many opportunities to find the letters and words so that children can “read” to you.
Educator Tip: Guided and independent letter, sound, and word practice continues to take place in center activities. It is helpful to set up the literacy center immediately after the direct instruction and repeat instruction before children work in the literacy center identifying letters.
Adaptation: Groups with children of varied ages may wish to pair older and younger children to hunt together so that older ones can help younger ones find the words.
English Language Learners: If English language learners have difficulty understanding what to do, partner them with strong English speakers who can help them so they both find the letters and words.