If you have been following me for a while, you will know that I LOVE teaching young ones how to read, and the alphabet is where it all starts! Truly one of the best experiences for a teacher is when he/she finally sees that lightbulb turn on, when the child has that “aha” moment. On the other hand, teaching reading can be an extremely stressful process for both the teacher and the student. Therefore, it’s crucial for students to receive a strong foundation for reading based on letter sound and name recognition and phonemic/phonological awareness. Once these skills are learned, moving on to reading words is a goal that is far more easy to achieve.
For that reason, I want to introduce you to the Alphabet Curriculum. It is a complete 7-week program that goes from letter recognition and formation to letter sounds to simple CVC words. It is packed with hands-on activities to keep young minds engaged as they learn, practice and master the alphabet.
What’s Included?
⭐ Lesson plans
⭐ Assessments (Pre-Assessments, Mid-Assessments, Post Assessments). Students will be grouped by score for targeted centers and small group instruction.
⭐Scope and Sequence
⭐ Whole group lessons
⭐ Differentiated small group lessons
⭐ Hands-on centers
⭐ Extra practice for additional support
⭐ Sample Schedules for 90 minutes, 70 minutes and 40 minute blocks
What order are the letters taught?
The lessons are organized in the following layout:
- Week 1- Letters m, p, t, a
- Week 2- n, b, s, i
- Week 3- h, d, g, o
- Week 4- r, f, c, e
- Week 5- l, k, j, u
- Week 6- z, w, y
- Week 7- v, x, q
Although the lessons are organized in this way, you can always choose to introduce and teach the letters in a different order. You can also teach them at a different pace. If you feel that you students need more time, you can stretch the lessons over 14 weeks or more.
*Note: The order of the letters and lessons have recently been changed sequence shown above in order to coincide with the new Pathway to Fluency science of reading aligned curriculum. The pictures in this blog post have not yet been updated to reflect that change.
Why do you teach the letters in this order?
This is a frequent question posed by teachers, and for a good reason: it is important to teach the alphabet in with a systematic approach. Keep in mind that there is no “correct” order to teach the alphabet. Furthermore, you don’t necessarily have to teach it from A – Z. However, by using the order listed above, you are able to make words quickly. For example, by the end of week 1, students will be able to move on from letters to simple CVC words. In week one alone, students will be able to use their letter sound recognition to make and read the words: pat, bat, tab, and tap. What a confidence booster!
Are you ready to change the way you teach the Alphabet? No more boring and monotonous letter activities. This Alphabet Curriculum provides explicit instruction in a variety of ways with context and structure! This packet provides students with hands-on and engaging activities!
Let’s Take a Look at SOME of the activities in Week 1 of the Alphabet Curriculum:
Lesson Plans: Included in the curriculum are easy-to-follow daily lesson plans to help guide your teaching for whole group and small groups. They are complete with sample schedules, center activities and rotations, teacher table small groups activities for your low, standard (mid) and extension (high) groups and so much more!
Weekly Letter Activity Centers/Rotations: The weekly activities for center rotations include hands-on activities for letter identification, letter formation, letter sounds and letter review and application. Here are just a few of the activities in action.
Letter Identification Activities
Letter Sorting…
Magazine Letter Hunt…
Upper and Lowercase Spin and Cover…
Upper and Lowercase Letter Match…
Letter Formation Activities
Play Dough Mats…
Open-ended Letter Formation…
Shape Building…
Roll and Trace/Write a Letter…
Beginning Sound Activities
Beginning Sound Cover up…
Beginning Sound Spin and Cover…
Beginning Sounds Letters…
Teacher Table Activities
These activities are broken down into low, medium and high groups in the lesson plans. You will want to prepare Alphabet Toolkits for each student at the table. You only need one set that will be used with each group of students. For example, if you have 5 students at a time at the “Teacher Table“, you will need to prepare 5 sets. These 5 sets will be used for all three groups. Listed below are the resources that you will include in each Toolkit.
The lesson plans clearly indicate which activities should be used in each group.
The Beginning Sounds Poster comes in a full size and mini size…
What supplies do I need?
Here are a list of items that you might find helpful when building your Alphabet Curriculum toolkit:
- Magnet letters
- Binder rings
- Popsicle sticks
- Jumbo foam dice
- Game spinners
- Pattern blocks
- Snap cubes
Most of these items can be found on my Amazon Influencer Page: Click Here.
Things to keep in mind:
1. Be patient.
Too often, we expect a child to learn how to read on “our schedule.” If we don’t allow the student the time needed for their brains to produce the anticipated information, we impede the learning process. If a child is not saying the letter sound or word, count to 10 silently in your head. You may find that all they needed was a little bit more time to come up with the information. Furthermore, this 7-week curriculum can easily be expanded over 14 weeks or more to accommodate struggling students.
2. Be sure to emphasize the difference between letter sounds vs. letter names.
Too much focus on letter names can confuse a child when it comes to sounding out a word. For example, for the word cat, the student may refer to the letters by their name instead of the sounds that the letters make, saying c-a-t instead of /c//a//t/.
3. Practice, practice, practice!
Even after a student has shown that he or she can identify a letter or word, continue to have them practice it in many different ways. In the Alphabet Curriculum, I’ve included a variety of practice activities to ensure that students have ample opportunity to truly master the skills.
4. Frequent mix-ups and difficulties:
- Letters b, d, p and q- These letters are frequently confused when learning how to read. These letters, and some others, may require more practice than the rest of the alphabet.
- Speech delays- It is important to remember that speech is also continuing to develop at these young ages. If a child consistently gets a letter wrong, check to make sure that they can first make the sound of the letter before asking them to identify it.
- Dyslexia, vision and other contributing factors- Keep in mind that there are multiple factors that contribute to a child’s reading success.
What next?
Once a child has mastered the alphabet, you can move on to building fluency reading CVC Words and basic Sight Words. Here are a few Bundles to consider:
- CVC Endless Mega Bundle: This is a bundle of CVC resources that will continue to grow. This bundle provides engaging hands-on resources for extra practice. Many students need a lot of practice when it comes to beginning phonics.
- CVC Fluency Bundle: This bundle of resources includes 12 packets that take students from sounding out CVC words to reading simple passages.
- Sight Word Fluency Pyramid Sentences: This bundle helps students build fluency with sight words along with phonics skills starting with pre-primer sight words and CVC words.
Robin says
I’m excited to get started with this . Every lesson look useable with teaching a small group . Excited to get started .
Penny says
What’s the best age to start this?
Mashelle says
I homeschool and my five year old son is having great difficulty learning the alphabet. This curriculum looks very thorough.
Melissa A Gessert says
This curriculum looks great. How do I order and how much does it cost?
amoffatt says
Hi Melissa,
Here is a link to the Alphabet Curriculum: Click Here.
Kindly,
Annie
Gail says
Hi! Do you have the Mini Alphabet Beginning Sound Cards for individual download? This is a great resource!Thank you!
amoffatt says
Hi Gail,
Yes, click here for the Mini Alphabet Beginning Sounds Posters.
Kindly,
Annie
sonia sarti says
Your blog is great. I read a lot of interesting things from it. Thank you very much for sharing.
amoffatt says
Hi Sonia,
Thank you so much for your sweet words! I’m glad you are finding the site helpful!
Kindly,
Annie
Cathi Tyson says
I was wondering will there be a problem with copyyrules if I take the pages and have them printed and:or put in a spiraled binder! Thank you so much!
amoffatt says
Hi Cathi,
You can take a thumb drive of the product to the printers to have them print it. As long as you aren’t sharing the file, you can print and spiral bind it as you need. 🙂
Kindly,
Annie
Brooke Sherbino says
I would like to purchase the entire package please. Worksheets, teacher book etc.
amoffatt says
Hi Brooke,
You can click on the links in the post above to access the product in my store. I hope that helps!
Kindly,
Annie
Hsing says
Hi,Iwould like to know where could I buy the Magnet letters?
I am from Taiwan,I love your worksheets,but I can’t find the similar Magnet letters here, I love it!
Hope you can tell me how could I buy it:>
tks
amoffatt says
Hi Hsing,
I wish I could tell you where to get them out there. I’m not sure which companies can ship out there. Lakeshore Learning is where I got this set from, but there is another set on Amazon by Really Good Stuff. I hope that helps!
Kindly,
Annie
Sharon says
This looks fantastic! We’ve always been so impressed with everything we’ve used from the Moffatt Girls. 🙂
I’m wondering if this is available for purchase in a format of already spiral-book-bound?
amoffatt says
Hi Sharon,
Unfortunately, I don’t have them in printed version. But an easy way to get it bound is to print it and take it to an office supply store. I hope that helps!
Kindly,
Annie
Samy says
I can’t wait to get started on this. I just have one question..where do you get the binding done for your packets?
amoffatt says
Hi Samy,
Sorry for the late response! I have a personal binding machine that I use at home. You can find an affordable one on Amazon. 🙂
Kindly,
Annie
Jacque says
I bought and I’m working on prepping it. How do you organize all of it? Thanks for any help!
amoffatt says
Hi Jacque,
I would suggest organizing according to the letters you will be teaching. If you are following the lesson plans that I have outlined, it would be helpful to prep the materials and group them according to which letters are being introduced that week. I like the Sterelite bins for storage. Check out our facebook group to see more storage ideas: Click Here. I hope that helps!
Kindly,
Annie
Donna says
Hi
Just wondering if the picture that’s labeled letter sounds
Can I purchase that individually ?
Kathleen Cruz-Moyet says
how do i print the material out?
amoffatt says
Hi Kathleen,
Follow the links for the product you’d like to purchase. Once you purchase and download, you will be able to print from your computer. I hope that helps!
Kindly,
Annie
Mindy Kinsch says
Hello!
I couldn’t find what needs to be included in the alphabet toolkit. Do u you have a list of supplies somewhere?
Tganks! Mindy
amoffatt says
Hi Mindy,
Sorry for the late response! Here is a link to my Amazon affiliate list: Click here. I hope that helps!
Kindly,
Annie
Lupe says
Where can I find the mini alphabet cards?
amoffatt says
Hi Lupe,
Sorry for the late response! These are part of the Alphabet Curriculum, and here is a link to the individual packet: Click Here. I hope this helps!
Kindly,
Annie
Ruhi says
Hi,
Can I ask whether will this be suitable for 28 months old?
Kristen says
Hi there! This curriculum looks very comprehensive. How much time would you recommend spending on the alphabet curriculum every day for a kindergartener? Thanks!
amoffatt says
Hi Kristen,
Sorry for the delayed response!
There are lesson plans that outline the pace (a 7-week plan with 3 or 4 letters being taught per week). If you find that your students are quick learners, you can certainly double-up on lessons. I hope that helps!
Kindly,
Annie
Chelsea says
Hello! First of all, I LOVE your curriculum (especially your no-prep packets). I was wondering at what age you recommend using your pre-school products. I have a 2 year old and was wondering if you had any products geared towards that age group, or if you recommend me to start him with your curriculum when he is closer to 3. Thank you so much!
Dalene Baxter says
I am looking for your CVC segmenting & blending race care activity. I can find a similar on on TPT with a bunny but I like the car. I am a literacy aide so I don’t need the whole curriculum.
Cindy says
Great ideas for virtual learning
Tomee Jo says
Can I buy specific items rather than a whole “unit’ on letter sounds?
JA says
Hi can I just get the segment and blend set please? Thank you!
Melba A. Steward says
Can I purchase the beginning sound cards without purchasing the whole bundle?
Rosie says
Can I order the activities without ordering the curriculum?
Susan Clement says
Thank you for the engaging materials. It has saved me countless hours trying to find enrichment for my students.
Vinette says
I am super excited for these thanks
Elizabeth Hamman says
How can I get the segment and blend race car activity? I couldn’t find it in any of the sets.
amoffatt says
Hi Elizabeth,
Here’s a link to the Alphabet Curriculum in my store: Click Here.
Kindly,
Annie
Eun Yang says
do you ship overseas?
amoffatt says
Hi Eun,
All of my products are digital downloads (PDFs), so you can print them from home or work. We do not ship any physical products.
Kindly,
Annie
Sara says
Hello.
I would love to purchase just the mini alphabet beginning sound card. I love that activity.
amoffatt says
Hi Sara,
Yes, click here for the Mini Alphabet Beginning Sounds Posters.
Kindly,
Annie