Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
By: John Archambault
I will be using Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to introduce the Alphabet. During this introduction no sounds will be taught, it will strictly be to introduce the letter names and order of the alphabet.
Below, you will find ideas that I have gleaned from so many places on the internet as well as from my own research thru various books and resource materials. I'd like to thank all the teachers who share what works for them in their classrooms with all of us.
                                  Letter Dig

Before reading the book, during our circle time, I will ask each child to come up and 'dig' thru shredded paper to find a letter. (I will use foam bath letters that I got at Wal-Mart and the shredded paper used to stuff gift bags.) I will explain that the letters that are being pulled out of the bucket are the letters of the alphabet. When all are out, we will count them to find that there are 26 letters. I will make a mental note about those children who are not familiar with the concept of letters, or those who don't know many. (My aid could also record this for me as she sits and watches)

After finding all the letters I will ask how many know the "ABC" song. Then we will sing it. The first time, we will just sing it. The second time, we will put the letters in order. Each child with his/her letter from the bucket will stand and we will make an 'alphabet' line.

Following this activity, I will read the book, stopping to ask open ended questions.
Coconut Tree with Child's Name
Each child will be given a background paper. To that paper he/she will add a coconut tree trunk. This is made out of a brown construction paper rectangle. He/she may cut or tear the edges of the rectangle to make the trunk. He/she will glue it to the background paper. If he/she is able to trace his/her own hand he/she will do so onto two green construction paper squares. He/she will then cut the hand out. Assistance might be needed this early in the year. After the 'leaves' are cut out, the child will glue them on top of the trunk. The next time the child comes to school, he/she will use alphabet stamps to stamp his/her name going up the tree. He/she can use other 'letters', such as alphbet cereal, foam letters, stickers, or other items with letters on them to decorate the rest of the picture.
Letter Match Up Games
                    Engine Match

I took a colorful notepad that is in the shape of a train, glued a Capital letter on the left side and a small letter on the right side, mounted each on tag board, laminated each one, and then cut the 'engine' in two. I used various cuts so each letter had a unique cutting pattern. The object of the game is to match the Capital letter with the Small letter.
          Dog Puppy Match

I used a large dog notepad and wrote a Capital letter on each sheet. Then I took a mini notepad that was exactly like the larger one and wrote a Small cooresponding letter on each sheet. I then mounted them on tag board and laminated them. The object of this game is also to match the Capital letter with the Smaller one.
Coconut Tree with Magnetic Letters
For this activity, I printed a coconut tree image that is available at The Learning Leap. I then put it on a magnetic board, covering it with clear contact paper. The children will be able to use magnetic letters to move the alphabet up and down the tree or to spell their names, or the names of their friends.
More to come, be sure to check back for pictures of the items I've made and more ideas! :)
Back to Home

Back to Themes
Alphabet Fit Together
We used our large train alphabet puzzle to review the letters of the alphabet and then to put them in order. Each child got a piece of the puzzle and then we went around the group telling what puzzle piece we had. After all the pieces were identified, then we put the puzzle together. As we were putting the puzzle together we sang the traditional 'Alphabet Song'.
Please Note:
Scholastic has a WONDERFUL cassette tape that goes along with the book. We LOVED the story as it was put to music. And the children loved hearting
how the author wrote the book.
Coconut Study
Since we live in Hawaii, and coconuts are all around, we took this opportunity to look at them more closely. Children brought in coconuts from their yards and we shook them, felt them, smelled them, and will cut one open. We will discover what is inside and how does fresh coconut tastes.
Our Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
To bring our "Alphabet Unit" to a close, and to allow the parents to see how well the children are doing in school, we will be ending this unit (but will continue to review the alphabet) with Our Alphabet Scavenger Hunt. By clicking here, you can see the letter that was sent home to the parents. And by clicking here you can see the Scavenger Hunt list of items that needed to be found. I think this parent/child activity will be a real hit. :) This would also be great for a literacy night for your school.