Learning to read is tough, so making it fun and inviting for our young students is a must! What activities can you do with Kindergartners or 1st graders who are working on letter names and letter sounds? Here are some of my favorite alphabet activities and resources for letter recognition and letter sounds that I’ve used with my emerging readers over the years!

Alphabet Mini Book

This book is always a hit with my students because they begin to feel successful with letter names and letter sounds!

In 1st grade, I generally use this in small groups for students who still need work on letter names and sounds and it’s perfect for Kindergarten students or other emergent readers.

We start off by reading through it together and tracing the letters with our fingers. As students trace the capital and lowercase letter with their fingers, they say the name of the letter and make its sound. Last, we “read” the picture to hear the letter sound used in a word.

I make a book for my little readers to keep in their book box that they can use during independent or partner reading time. I also assemble one to send home as well.

You can find this ABC Mini Book HERE…it also makes great flashcard s !

Alphabet Matching Game

Games are always a hit! We use this Alphabet Matching Game as both a station choice and a small group activity.

There are several options with this one…

Match capital to lowercase letters
Match letter to picture
Match pictures to words
Play a Memory Match game (cards placed face down)

I usually focus on 5-10 letters at a time, depending on my group. It’s a fun set and great practice, too!

You can find everything you need for these game option s , plus some letter matching and letter sound worksheets, HERE!

Alphabet Poems and Activities

Kids love silly rhymes and these Alphabet Poems have exactly that! They are perfect for shared reading fun, while also providing several important reading readiness activities.

After reading the poem together, students work on:

Recognizing and circling the letter
Coloring words that begin with that letter
Drawing a picture of one of the words from the poem

Check out these poems HERE. There are 26 fun and engaging poems and a journal cover to make the perfect ABC Poetry Journal for your students!

Alphabet Phonics Workbook

Here is a fun phonics workbook for Kindergarten, 1st grade, or other emergent readers!

Students color the focus letter
Students trace over the letters with their finger while saying the letter name and letter sound
Then, they read the pictures and color the pictures that begin with the focus sound
Last, they trace over the dotted letters for handwriting practice
They can keep their phonics workbook handy for independent or partner “reading” time, too!