Recognizing Alphabets - Matching Centre

I have been trying to put out different activities every other day in the literacy centre. Here is an alphabet centre that was donated to me by a teacher (I hit a jackpot with it because it was free!!!) If you are unable to buy it, I think it is super easy to create it as well (take a large bristol board, add pocket cards, label them with letters, cut out letters small enough to fit into the pockets and you are done!)

I only put out letters for now in a basket. As the weeks go by, there are picture cards with the whole word. The first letter is highlighted so they may match it and put it in the right pocket.

I put this centre on a round table. It is easier for more children to participate at one time rather than up on the wall or board. 

Here are my kids working away! I did not even model this activity to them. They all knew what was expected which is super easy!

What are the children learning?

• communication and social skills as they use this centre with other children and learn to take turns
• sorting skills as they take the letters and sort them accordingly
• matching skills as they match the letters accordingly
• hand-eye coordination as they use their eyes to match the letters and use their hands to insert them into the pockets
• literacy skills as they recognize their letters (both upper and lower case)
• math skills if they are counting how many letters are in the alphabet
• observation skills as they figure out the differences between upper and lower case letters
• gross motor (large muscles) as they use their hand to insert the letters and insert them into the pockets

Recognizing Alphabets - Media-Enriched Activity

One of the easiest and realistic ways for children to begin recognizing letters is to use media around them. This is such an easy activity where children can learn their letters. All you need is newspapers/flyers and yellow marker/highlighters. 

I wrote down the letter that we are working on. I also send this activity as an at-home activity. It is easy for parents since they don't have to purchase anything to work with their children.

The goal is to highlight every S you see in the flyer or newspaper. If you don't have highlighters or markers, use pencil or pen to circle. And there you have another activity for learning alphabets! Choose a different letter each week and you have a centre ready!

Practicing Alphabets - Quick Activity

Here is a very quick letter activity I came up with. I was using the die cutter to cut out alphabets and I noticed there was a lot of paper left for recycling which I didn't feel comfortable recycling. So I decided to use it for learning letters. 

We are doing the letter S for the week. So I only used the letter S.

I put out paper, markers and crayons. You also choose to use paint. Finger painting would be fantastic for tiny fingers!

Here are my kids doing the activity. I allow them to start from the top or bottom. Whatever helps them make the S.

Here is the finished product. It was their first time but we are getting the point!

Classroom Centres - Literacy Centre

I am going to do posts about each centre in the classroom. Here is a non-detailed, yet long post about the literacy centre.

Source: http://notesonanapkin.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/reading-corner.jpg

A literacy centre consists of activities that allow the children to read and write. A lot of classrooms have reading centres and writing centres that are situated away from each other. Because reading and writing go hand-in-hand, I like to keep both centres very close to each other and call it the literacy centre.


Here are a FEW things that can be put into the literacy centre. Please check out my post about the block centre to find some activity ideas in the comment section. SIGRID was very nice to share some of her ideas. 


First and foremost, you need a reading nook. Children need to be comfortable when they are reading. It needs to be an area in the classroom where the least amount of sound is traveled to (Usually corners of the classroom are perfect for this). If possible, have cushions and pillows; my classroom also had teddy bears which the younger children loved reading with and to. 

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The best part about the literacy centre is that it ties with any topic/theme you want children to explore. Therefore, there needs to be a wide variety of reading materials, not just books. Literacy in other words is communication; how we communicate with others (whether it be through written, oral or sign language). Here is my list of materials that can be added to or changed any time during the year.

Books! Add all sorts of books. Fiction, non-fiction and information books, picture books, open-the-flap books, I Spy books, Pop-up books, sketch books, poem books, nursery rhyme books, board books, sensory books, comic books, class books that your class has created, and books with NO words! Make sure you are using books that are appropriate for the child(ren)'s age and development. 

Source: http://spph.ubc.ca/sites/healthcare/uploads/blog/1325873818841.jpg

Books on Tape. This is a fantastic way for children to hear the words and expressions from a tape recorder/CD player as they follow along with the book. It, of course, promotes reading but also social skills when reading with a partner. Literacy skills involve knowing where the book begins and ends, which direction the words are written and when to flip the page. It enhances their hearing senses and their hand-eye coordination as they read and flip the pages. 

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Magazines

Source: http://www.asiaing.com/images/stories/2010/National.Geographic.Kids.Magazine.Subscription.jpg

Newspapers. These are great for allowing children to see letters, numbers, pictures, comics, logic puzzles, etc. A great way for children to know their letters and words is to give them highlighters. Ask them to only find the letter 'Aa' for the day. Make sure you find appropriate articles for them. We cannot underestimate the learning abilities of children; they pick on everything, good and bad. 

Source: http://www.kwnews.com/images/kidscoop.jpg

Comics

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Maps

Source: http://news.stanford.edu/news/2012/march/images/maps_news.jpg

Blueprints are GREAT for mapping as well. Children have so much fun with this if put into the literacy centre, specially if you are doing a unit on construction, mapping or structures.

Source: http://www.houseofmaupassant.com/sites/www.houseofmaupassant.com/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH393/plan_rdc-2-6493e.png

Brochures/Pamphlets

Source: http://factms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/brochures_pamphlets_01.jpg

Other reading materials that can be put all around the centre are posters, pictures, manuals/directions on how to do/build something. Signs and advertisements are also a hit in the classrooms. 

Here are some materials that can be made into activities for children to increase their literacy skills/learning.

Board Games such as Scrabble, Monopoly, Bingo, etc. promote a lot of literacy, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, focus, and critical thinking.

Source: http://blog.picnicfun.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/board_games1.jpg

Magnetic letters/numbers (plastic, foam, wood)

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Paper. All sorts of paper. Blank, coloured, construction, manila, newspaper, bristol board, cue cards, tissue paper, sand paper, paper towels, paper plates, envelopes, paper bags, line paper, scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, wax paper, coffee filters, etc. The list is endless! Using different materials makes learning FUN and EXCITING! Children get bored using line and blank paper all the time. To make it more fun, pick one day in a month and tell the students "today we are going to write upside down". Watch their expressions as confusion and exciting is jumbled up together into fun!

Source: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/media/9137/thumb_400/sian-001.jpg

Writing material. Another endless list: their own FINGERS, pens, pencils, markers, pencil crayons, crayons, paint brushes, high lighters, chalk, pastels, etc. Make sure you are meeting children's developmental requirement for these materials. Look for non-toxic markers for safety and large-size writing materials for firmer grip. Their fine motor skills need to be strong in order for them to have a strong grasp. 

Source: http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-new/ehow/images/a07/tb/gc/different-kinds-erasers-800x800.jpg

Stencils and Stampers. Large sizes and knobs makes for a easier grip.

Source: http://di1-1.shoppingshadow.com/images/pi/25/9b/ea/41508660-260x260-0-0_Century+Novelty+Alphabet+Stencil+Ruler.jpg

Source: http://s7.orientaltrading.com/is/image/OrientalTrading/56_2302?$FULL_SIZE$

Computer/Printer. Many people have different views on using computers in the preschool environment. I personally believe these should be used as an AID for children with special or extra needs to build their fine muscles. Other than that, children should be engaged in activities that does not requires a computer. As soon as they hit kindergarten and above, they will be required to use computers for many things. *Please remember every child SHOULD be monitored when they are using the computer*

Source: http://www.cs.sfu.ca/CourseCentral/166/tjd/_images/desktop-computer.jpg

Typewriters. These have to be one of the coolest things in the classroom. Children can get inspired to learn about history and the evolution of technology. I would rather have the children spend time on typewriter than a computer! Lots of focus, hand-eye coordination and development of small muscles. 

Source: http://marcromanoff.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/typewriter.jpg

Dry/erase boards, felt boards, cork boards all promote good story telling. A variety of these in the classroom promote lots of literacy skills. 

Writing books, sketch books and journals are great for "traditional" writing and drawing. Again a variety of everything encourages the most learning. 

Art materials: Play dough, sand, salt, shaving cream and paint can all be used with children's fingers to trace out letters and numbers. It is a ton of fun. Keep scissors, erasers, glue and tape as well at a table where children will be doing their writing. These further develop fine motor muscles. 

Chalk boards, Clipboards and Doodle Pads: Again, these are great for children to get into the habit of literacy. The more opportunities they get, the more chance of learning earlier and obtaining strong skills. 

Well, there you have it. My post on literacy centres. It is not detailed as it only provides basics. I will be posting activities here and there about each centre as well. Be on the lookout!