Domain:
Language & Communication
Competency:
Decode and comprehend words and texts
🎂
2-3 year olds
⏰
10 to 15 minutes min
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Learning Objective
Students will identify and name letters of the alphabet using tactile exploration.
Learning Resource Synopsis
In 'Alphablock' by Christopher Franceschelli, children are introduced to the alphabet through a playful and interactive format. Each page is cut into the shape of a letter, creating a peek-through guessing game that engages young readers. As they explore, children will associate each letter with words, such as 'I' for ice cream sundae, indicated by sprinkles and cherries, and 'F' for fish, represented by aquarium accessories. This hands-on experience allows children to learn the alphabet's letters and their physical attributes, including angles and curves. Illustrated by Peskimo, the book employs a retro art style with varied colors and textures, offering a visually stimulating learning tool for children. 'Alphablock' encourages tactile interaction and creativity, making learning the alphabet an enjoyable experience.
Extended Learning Resources
| Resource & Author | Publication Info | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chicka Chicka Boom Boom | Written by Bill Martin Jr. And John Archambault, Illustrated by Lois Ehlert, Published by Simon & Schuster | This classic picture book introduces children to the alphabet with a rhythmic, engaging story about letters climbing a coconut tree, perfect for reinforcing letter recognition through fun and repetition. |
| Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book. | Written by Dr. Seuss, Published by Random House Books for Young Readers | This colorful and whimsical board book uses Dr. Seuss's signature rhymes and illustrations to teach young children the alphabet, encouraging creative thinking and letter-sound recognition. |
| The Alphabet Book | Written and Illustrated by P.D. Eastman, Published by Random House Books for Young Readers | This engaging book features vibrant illustrations and simple text that help children associate each letter with familiar objects, supporting their ability to decode and comprehend the alphabet. |
Vocabulary List
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Go | Move, move. | Let's go to the park. Go, go. |
| Dog | Woof, woof. | Look, it's a dog. Can you say 'dog'? |
| Uh-oh | Oops. | Uh-oh, the block fell down. |
Prompt
Essential Question: "What letter makes you smile?"
Today, we're going to take a fun Follow the alphabet. Let's use our hands and eyes to explore the letters that make us smile and discover what they feel and look like.
Anticipatory Set
- Show the children a big, colorful letter block and gently tap it together.
- Invite them to touch the letter and say what it feels like: 'Is it bumpy or smooth?'.
- Ask them to find something in the room that starts with the same sound as the letter. Share what they find.
Teacher Tips
- Use a calm and cheerful voice to create a warm atmosphere.
- Encourage each child to participate at their own pace, offering gentle guidance as needed.
- Be mindful of each child's comfort with touching new textures and provide alternative ways to engage if needed.
Learn
Let's open 'Alphablock' by Christopher Franceschelli. We'll play with letters and see what fun shapes and words we can find together.
Interactive Engagement
- Can you touch the big letter?
- Let's say 'bumpy, bumpy' for the letter.
- Can you peek through the letter?
- Point to the ice cream.
- Let's say 'fish, fish' together.
Teacher Tips
- Use big gestures and point to each letter.
- Encourage children to touch and explore the page.
- Repeat key words like 'ice cream' or 'fish' to emphasize sounds.
Ask
Now that we've explored the letters, let's think about how they make us feel.
Discussion Questions
- What letter felt happy to touch?
- Did a letter make you smile or laugh?
- Can you show how you feel about a fun letter?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to use facial expressions or gestures to show their feelings about the letters.
- Invite them to point to or imitate the shape of a letter that made them feel happy.
- Acknowledge each child's response and gently encourage those who are shy to participate.
Navigate
Alphabet Sensory Safari
Inspired by the playful and interactive format of 'Alphablock', this activity transforms letter learning into a sensory safari. Children will explore textured alphabet cards, fostering tactile interaction and creativity. The experience mirrors the book's engaging peek-through format, encouraging children to connect letters with their physical shapes and associated objects, creating a joyful and meaningful learning journey.
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Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to help each other find matching objects, promoting peer interaction and teamwork.
- Use a wide variety of textures to maintain interest and engagement.
- Be patient and provide guidance as needed, allowing children to explore and discover at their own pace.
Share
Let's think about all the fun we had with our letter friends today. We touched, peeked, and played with so many shapes and sounds.
Reflection Questions
- Tap your head if you remember a letter you liked.
- Show me with your fingers how big a letter felt.
- Jump up if a letter made you feel happy.
Teacher Tips
- Encourage each child to use a gesture or movement to express their thoughts.
- Celebrate with a clap or cheer for each child's response to build confidence.
- Model simple actions for children to imitate, like tapping your head or making a happy jump.
UDL Strategies
Representation
- Use textured alphabet cards with bright, contrasting colors to cater to visual and tactile learners. Ensure the textures vary to provide a unique experience for each letter, such as sandpaper, felt, or foam.
- Incorporate an auditory component by playing a song or rhyme that highlights the sounds of each letter as children trace them, aiding auditory learners in making connections. Consider using songs that are simple and repetitive to reinforce memory.
- Provide a storytelling scaffold by offering a simple story structure guide (beginning, middle, and end) to help children develop their narratives as they explore the letters, supporting different comprehension levels. Use simple sentence frames to guide their storytelling like 'Once upon a time there was a letter..'.
Action & Expression
- Allow children to demonstrate their understanding by creating a physical story map with craft materials, mapping out their story visually and artistically. Provide materials like stickers, stamps, or cut-out pictures that relate to the letters and objects.
- Encourage verbal storytelling sessions where children share their invented stories with the class or a small group, catering to verbal communication preferences. Use a simple microphone or speaking stick to give each child a turn in sharing.
- Provide options for children to record their stories using audio devices, supporting different communication preferences and accommodating varied ability levels, such as those who may be pre-literate. Use simple recording devices or apps that are easy for young children to operate.
Engagement
- Start the activity with a short, engaging story or puppet show that introduces the Alphabet Adventure, capturing the children's initial interest and setting the tone. Use puppets shaped like animals or objects that begin with the letters being explored.
- Create a sense of mystery and adventure by setting up a 'letter treasure hunt' where children follow clues to find and explore the textured alphabet cards, maintaining ongoing engagement. Use simple picture clues that relate to the letters.
- Offer choices in how children participate, such as working individually or in pairs, allowing them to choose the order of letters to explore, catering to different motivation preferences. Provide small baskets or bags for them to collect their letter objects during the hunt.
Assessment Criteria
Formative Assessment
- Observe children as they trace and feel the textured alphabet cards, noting if they can identify the letter and express its texture verbally or through gestures.
- Engage with children during the object-finding activity, listening for correct letter and object name pairings, and watch for their ability to match objects with their chosen letter.
- Facilitate a group discussion after the drawing session, observing if children can share their letter and object drawings and describe their sensory experiences with the letter's texture.
Summative Assessment
- Have children participate in an Alphabet Sensory Show & Tell where each child presents their chosen letter and associated object, describing the tactile experience and verbally identifying the letter.
- Compile an Alphabet Discovery Booklet for each child, including their letter drawing, texture description, and a simple dictated story or sentence about their letter, reviewing for accuracy in letter identification and creative storytelling.
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