It is March and I have a small group of students in each of my classes that is just NOT GETTING letter recognition. I have been working intensely with them, providing ideas to parents for the few that have involved parents, and doing as much as possible in school for the ones whose parents are not involved. But I am running out of ideas! I have a finite amount of games and manipulatives, and I have blown through all of them in the past several weeks. I am looking for some new ideas to help these kids- out of 18 students in one class, I have 14 that know all 26 letters and 4 that are struggling (one knows 12, but another only knows 2). Help! I feel like this is all I think about lately and my ideas are all old and stale at this point.
First, breathe! Second, realize that some preschoolers aren't ready to learn the alphabet. They aren't dumb. There isn't something wrong with them. They don't need remedial help. They just need to grow and mature a little. When they are ready, they will learn it. Please don't make them or their parents feel like they aren't successful or smart. It isn't dap to assume all preschoolers will learn the alphabet. That's what kindergarten is for (and we could argue the dap of that, as well).
Perhaps remedial was a poor word choice. I completely agree with you that some children are not ready, and I have in NO way hinted to these children-or their parents-that they are not successful or smart- it has been quite the opposite.However, I am exposing them to the alphabet in my classroom daily and I'm simply running out of new fun materials. They have been thrilled to use the manipulatives and play the games that I have, but I am now running low and am looking for ideas of new things I can do with them to hold this interest.
We have the most power of of labeling the original writings and drawings that they make. Addressing Valentines/making cards is also a hit. Having a real reason for these letters to be used is VERY important....If they are getting tired of the material I would suggest this. It isn't NOT working on the letters, it is working on the letters in their "natural habitat".....relax....letters are for USING....let them spend the spring discovering the power of the letters. The minutia is in there...just let it peculate and get used. You will see....they will make it.
I agree with Wa. She says it with such tact. PS seems a bit early to worry about those who do not know their letters. At this age, some of them are just not ready. The minute they are ready, they will learn. I can still remember the "aha" moment in 1st grade when it dawned on me that after 19, was 20, and a repetition of the numbers 1 to 9, then a 3-0, and 1 - 9 again. That is the kind of learning that is successful.
Blue, I had a few first graders realize that very thing last year. We were making our 20th (or so) 100 board of seasonal items....and it clicked...finally. I always sigh with them, it is hard for both of us to wait. However, once the things are presented, worked with and you know the ability is there (meaning there are not issues preventing the penetration of the information) sometimes the best thing to do is sit back and wait. Sooner or later, the plant BLOOMS. Then you have to run and grab more material! Thanks Blue....missed you here lately.
Can you make an alphabet book out of pictures that the student loves? I had a student who knew only 2 letters (letters in his name). We made an alphabet book of cars (yes, we did find a car for x and q). He wanted to read his book with his dad every night and within weeks, he knew 17 letters. By the end of the year, he had all 26 letters down-both capitals and lowercase. He was a first grader identified with a learning disability though...
That is a wonderfully valid way to work on letters....since the things are important to the child. I have gone on letter walks though the neighborhood with a digital camera for Kinetic learners. Worked great!
