Once students have learned all of the letters of the alphabet, you should spend some time reviewing them all, to make sure that they remember each letter and sound. Knowing each letter is the first step towards being able to read and write. Here are some fun ideas to review all the letters.
Play Letter Charades
Have each letter written on a slip of paper and folded up in box for students to pick from. Each student should come up and pick a letter, think of something that starts with that letter, and act it out. The students must guess the word and the. For prizes, you can give out letter stickers.
Learn Alphabet Sign Language
Teaching your students the sign for each letter of the alphabet is a great visual and tactile review.
A: closed fist with flat fingers against palm, thumb sticking out. The palm should be facing out.
B: palm facing out, fingers up, and thumb folded into the palm.
C: hand makes a C shape with finger tips facing out.
D: middle finger touching thumb, with ring and pinky finger curled next to the middle finger. The index finger points straight up.
E: form a fist with the thumb at the tips of each finger.
F: make the ok sign with the thumb and index finger touching.
G: index finger and thumb point forward like you are going to pinch something. Other fingers curl into palm.
H: index, middle finger and thumb point together across body with the thumb inside. The ring and pinky finger curl into palm.
I: make a fist with the pinky finger pointing up, palm facing away from body.
J: make the letter I, and draw a J shape in the air.
K: index finger points up, middle finger points out away from body. The thumb should point to opening between the fingers, just touching the middle finger. Ring finger and pinky finger curl into palm. Palm should face out.
L: with thumb and index finger, make an L shape. The rest of fingers curl into palm. Palm points out.
M: curl the index, middle and ring finger over the thumb. The pinky folds into palm. Palm faces out.
N: curl the index and middle finger over thumb. Ring and pinky finger fold into palm. Palm faces out.
O: make an O shape with entire hand, fingers pointing out.
P: make the K sign and rotate the entire hand so the index finger points straight out.
Q: make the G sign, and angle the hand so the finger is pointing slightly downward.
R: cross the index and middle finger together pointing up. The thumb holds the ring finger and pinky finger to palm.
S: make a fist, with palm facing out, thumb across fingers.
T: place thumb between the index and middle fingers while making a fist, the palm facing out.
U: Stick the index and middle finger together pointing up, palm away from body, thumb folded in.
V: make the peace sign.
W: Same sign as V with the middle finger up as well.
X: index finger up, point tip down, and the rest of hand makes a fist.
Y: pinky and thumb extended with other three fingers curled, palm facing out.
Z: draw a z in the air with the index finger.
Use these ideas to review after teaching each letter of the alphabet. Have students practice their letters by writing simple words. Now is a great time to have them start a journal.
Look at pictures of the sign language alphabet.
Jennifer Wagaman - Jennifer is a mother of 2 and has both public, private and administrative experience in the education field.
Join the Conversation