It's the Musical Alphabet

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling

• Read aloud the book AlphaOops!: The Day Z Went First, by Alethea Kontis
• Pause as you read to ask students to name the letters and draw the letters in the air using their fingers.

Guided Practice

• Ask students how they can recognize the letters of the alphabet when they see them out of order.
• Remind students that one way we can identify the letters is to practice.
• Place the pre-written letter cards around the room in a big circle (out of order).
• Explain that each student should find a letter to stand on, then you will play the alphabet song and the students should walk in the circle following the letters (direct students to go either right or left to avoid confusion). Finally, you will pause the music and students will stand on one letter and freeze — kind of like musical chairs!
• After they freeze, you will call on students to hold up their letter and say the letter name aloud.
• Play several rounds with the class.

Independent working time

• Explain that now students will get to create their very own alphabet mini book!
• Display the book template and provide instructions to students.
• Pass out copies to each student for them to work on independently.