Alphabetical Order Teaching Ideas

Use a variety of activities to teach alphabetizing.

Alphabetizing is a necessary skill that is used throughout all aspects of life, both in academics and in day-to-day activities. To locate books in a library or bookstore or to find your seat in a stadium, you must understand alphabetical order. Students should master this skill by the end of kindergarten. When teaching the order of the alphabet, use a variety of skills and tactics to foster understanding.

The Alphabet Song

Simply singing "The Alphabet Song" helps children understand alphabetical order.

Teaching children "The Alphabet Song" is a simple way to help them master alphabetical order. Lead children in singing the song each day; while singing, point to each of the letters on an alphabet chart. Sing the song in different ways. For example, start at the letter G or M and have children sing the song from there to completion. Or as you sing the song solo, omit a letter and ask the children to name it. You even can try singing the song backwards.

Arranging Letters

Have children arrange the letters of the alphabet in the correct order. Print out the letters on index cards and scatter them on the floor or on a table. Have children sort through the cards and arrange them in the correct order. They can work together or take turns locating the letters in sequence and placing them in order.

Name the Letter

Engage students in a letter-naming competition. Divide the class into two teams and have the teams form single-file lines. Provide the first player on each team with a dry-erase board and marker. State a clue, such as "I'm thinking of the letter that comes between L and N" or "It's the second letter of the alphabet." Students with the dry-erase boards write a letter and earn a point for their team if it is correct. The team that earns the most points wins the game.

Before or After

Provide children with "Scrabble" game letter tiles; have the students flip the tiles to the blank sides, then randomly select one tile and flip it over. Students flip over the rest of the tiles and place them in piles based on whether they come before or after the letter that is printed on the chosen tile. For example, if the chosen tile is the letter M, students would place the letter tiles that come before M in one pile and the letters that come after M in another pile.

References

• All About Spelling: Teaching Alphabetizing