I love getting new little students when school begins! Most are excited and maybe a little nervous. And some will come to us not knowing one single letter in their name. For some, if they haven’t had any exposure to letters and print, learning the letters of their name can be a little difficult at the beginning. And for some learning is just a bit difficult. One way that I have found to help remedy this is What Is My Letter cards. If a student is having trouble learning a particular letter, write it on the card and stick it on their shirt. Whenever other students and teachers see this student during the day, they are prompted by the card to ask the student the name of the letter that they are learning. It works wonders because of the repetition of naming the letter over and over all day. And the student gets lots of positive attention all day! ๐
I do go to the extra step of also writing the letter on the student’s hand. That way they can look there to see what letter they are working on. I am afraid if they only have it on their shirt, they will be learning the letter upside down from looking at it that way all day!
Another activity for learning letters in your name is to build them on a name mat and then write them. Print the student’s name and cut the letters apart. Mix them up and then the student rebuilds on the mat. You can place a name model above the name mat at the beginning if needed. Keeping the name mat in a plastic sleeve saves on paper too so it can be used more than once.
I have made you the name mats and What Is My Letter cards if you can use them. I made name mats with 2 different amounts of boxes so you would have one for long names if needed. Here is what they look like and you are welcome to grab them for free!
Camille says
Lori,
Thank you for the great ideas! I especially like "What is my letter?" I am thinking I could also use this with sight words that students are struggling with. Thank you for sharing!
Camille
An Open Door
Jennifer Tilton says
These are great ideas!
Jennifer
kindertrips
dbednars says
Thank you!This is great!
Tammy says
I like that "What is my letter" trick. (Isn't it kind of sad that our kids don't know all their letters? I want to say, "What have you been doing for the past five years?") ๐
โ Tammy
Forever in First
Lisa R. says
Thanks for the freebie!!
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
Barbara says
I love this idea. I'm pinning it. Thank you so much!!
โBarbaraโ
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog Designs
Taylor says
I love this idea!! I just found your blog and I am your newest follower!
Taylor
BakingCraftingTeaching Oh My
lorivines4 says
Thank you Camille! The cards would definitely work for sight words or math problems too!
lorivines4 says
Thanks Jennifer! I appreciate you coming by to comment. ๐
lorivines4 says
Yes, Tammy, it is sad that some come in not knowing their letters. Just puts them behind from the get go.
lorivines4 says
Lisa R., thank you and I hope you enjoy them!
lorivines4 says
Thank you so much, Barbara! I appreciate you pinning it!
lorivines4 says
Thanks Taylor! And I love that you are following!
Steph Barclay says
Love this! Thank you so much! That name practice is so important and Iove the engagement on what is my letter.
Steph
Kindergartensparkle.blogspot.com
lorivines4 says
Thank you so much, Steph! I appreciate your comment!