Do more with your alphabet posters!
An alphabet line in a primary classroom is almost as essential as the desks and chairs. Extend your use beyond decoration by using your posters to play fun and engaging games with your students. Here’s 6 ideas you can try right now:
Just looking for decor? Head to my TPT store to see my decor bundles!
Getting Ready
It’s a good idea to have multiple copies of your alphabet posters – one for display on your wall, and other sets to use for games and activities.
(this is why buying decor on TPT is so cost-effective: you definitely get more bang for your buck!)
I also like to print out the set of posters 2 to a page, and 4 to a page. These visuals are great options for circle time or centers!
It’s so important for primary students to learn how to use the alphabet posters as reference. Using the same visual aids in multiple ways will help them easily make connections between letters and sounds.
1: Tactile Practice
Print out and laminate a set of full-size posters. Have students use play-doh, beads, buttons, or other small manipulatives to practice forming each upper and lowercase letter.
Students can also use dry erase markers to trace each letter! These tactile activities are so important for primary learners.
2: Movement Activities
Kids of all ages love scavenger hunts. Print out your posters 2 or 4 to a page and hide them all around the room. Give your students an ABC checklist and have them find each letter on the list. This is also a great way to practice alphabetical order!
Primary students need lots of practice making letter-sound connections!
3: Matching Activities
Place a set of alphabet posters in a center, along with some letter manipulatives. Have students work to match the manipulatives to the posters. You can add each letter once the class has learned them, which makes for a great center that will grow with your students!
Bingo is another fun way to practice the alphabet with many variations! You can practice letter matching, upper and lowercase matching, or letter-sound correspondence!
4: Memory Games
Print out two sets of posters 4 to a page. Scramble them up and place face down in rows. Have students work to find matches by flipping the cards over 2 at a time.
This could also be a fun circle game with 2 sets of full size posters!
5: Small Group Games
Doing a lot of letter practice in small groups? Having multiple sets of your alphabet posters in various sizes will come in handy.
You can use these for so many fun games practicing letters and sounds, ABC order, sorting, and more!
6: Take Alphabet Practice Outside
Some days it’s just too nice to stay indoors! A relay race is a super way to give students a chance to work out their wiggles and learn. Tape a set of posters up to an outside wall (mix them all up for an extra challenge), then split your group into 2 teams.
When you call out a letter, the first person in line for each team will run to the wall and try to get the letter first to bring back to their team. The team with the most letters at the end wins!
If the competition provides too much pressure for your primary pals, give each runner their own letter to find and bring back.
Ready to Take Your Alphabet Posters to a New Level?
My alphabet lines feature kid-friendly fonts, appropriate images, and lots of white space while still being fun to look at! You can see my current sets here:
Be sure to check out my TPT store if you are looking for ready to go classroom decor kits with inviting themes and student-friendly fonts and elements! Purchase pieces separately or save by purchasing a bundle of ready-to-print items:
