Contents ABC Puzzles...5 Alphabet Picture Cards...57

Contents ABC Puzzles...5 Alphabet Picture Cards...57 LAB1913E ABC PUZZLES by Marilynn G. Barr Copyright LITTLE ACORN BOOKS Published by Little Acorn Books a division of Little Acorn & Associates, Inc. Post Office Box 8787 Greensboro, NC 27419-0787 Originally Published by Monday Morning Books No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including scanning photocopying, recording, or storing in any information system and retrieval system or electronic online bulletin board, without prior written permission from the publisher. Please direct all inquiries to the publisher. However, the individual purchaser may reproduce designated student materials in this book for non-commercial individual or classroom use, but the purchase of this book does not entitle reproduction of any part for an entire school, district, or school system. Such use is strictly prohibited. ISBN 978-0-98440106-2 Printed in the United States of America 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

INTRODUCTION ABC Puzzles is an alphabet skills book for preschool and kindergarten children. Children learn the alphabet as they assemble six-piece puzzles. Skill Reinforcement Alphabet Puzzles Each six-piece puzzle (pages 5-56) features an alphabet letter and a matching beginning sound picture. Once a puzzle is cut out and put together, children can name the beginning sound picture associated with the letter. Uppercase and lowercase letter puzzles are included. Puzzles are designed with bold outlines for easy cutting and letters are presented in block letter form. Children cut apart and glue the puzzle pieces on construction paper or oak tag then color the assembled puzzle. Working with these puzzles offers fine motor skills practice for coloring, cutting, and pasting as children develop letter and beginning sound recognition. Children also practice spatial organization as they sort and match the puzzle pieces. Alphabet Picture Cards Matching uppercase and lowercase alphabet picture cards (pages 57-64) are included for additional alphabet matching card games and activities. Reproduce card sheets for children to color and glue onto construction paper. Then help children cut apart the cards. Children can practice identifying letters, matching uppercase and lowercase letters; sequence in alphabetical order, and match beginning sound letters and pictures. Invite children to participate in a discussion about each letter. Describe the shape, the feel, the sound, and matching pictures. Encourage children to think of words that begin with each letter. Write the words for each letter on a separate sheet of poster board. Have children cut pictures from magazines or draw pictures to illustrate each letter. Glue matching magazine cutouts and drawings on the poster board. LAB1913 ABC PUZZLES 3 COPYRIGHT LITTLE ACORN BOOKS

Enrichment Activities ABC Train Cut the tops off pint-sized milk cartons and string them together with yarn. Then fold 3 x 5 index cards in half and write a letter of the alphabet on one side. Uppercase or lowercase letters may be used. Slip a card over one side of each carton in ABC order and secure with a paper clip, letter side showing. To play with the train, have the children place the matching picture card in each labeled carton, naming each letter in ABC order. When they re more familiar with the letters, you can slip letter labels off certain cartons and have the children supply the matching cards in ABC order. For a greater challenge, take the letter labels off all the cartons and ask children to supply the matching cards. ABC Match In this activity, two children match uppercase and lowercase picture cards.. Mix the uppercase and lowercase cards separately and place them face down on the playing area. Then have each child in turn take a card, one from each pile, and check to see if they match, upper to lower case. If they do, the child gets another turn to pick. Players keep the cards they pick for later matches. The child who makes the most matches wins. ABC Guess Children may play this guessing game with a small group, a partner, or individually as a self-check. Place the ABC cards in order on the chalk railing, using only uppercase or lower-case cards. Choose one child to go to the back of the room and face away from the chalk railing. Have the child say the ABC s while you turn one card over to the blank side. Then signal the child to stop and go back to the chalk railing. Have him or her guess the letter on the card that was turned around, turning it over to check. If the answer is correct, the child may choose the next person to play. For a greater challenge, turn several cards over. ABC Detectives Paired children in this game try to guess the letter on the picture card their partner has picked. After the cards are shuffled, each partner picks one without showing it to the other player. The other player then tries to guess the letter. The player holding the card may give clues about the letter about its shape, its sound, or words that begin like it but must be careful not to say the letter. ABC Leis To begin making ABC leis, punch a hole in the top of each picture card, using only the uppercase or lowercase card set. Taper and tape the end of a long strand of yarn for easier threading, and secure the other end with a bead. Then have the children string the cards in ABC order. They may add beads between cards if they like. Have the children check their work and correct the ABC order if necessary. Tie ends together. The children can practice saying their ABC s using their leis. by Lillian Lieberman Lillian Lieberman is a learning specialist and tutor for learning-disabled students, preschool to high school. LAB1913 ABC PUZZLES 4 COPYRIGHT LITTLE ACORN BOOKS

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