Kindergartners need to look at print frequently during the school day. Teachers can make effective use of "Morning Message" time in the class. During this segment, students watch the teacher write sentences on chart paper or a white board. The sentences usually name the day and month or tell something about the current theme the kids are studying. The teacher reinforces alphabet, handwriting, punctuation and grammar skills simultaneously. Children can circle targeted letters, search for uppercase and lowercase matching letters and find the letters that spell their name.
Kindergarten students work with classmates in small groups to practice and reinforce skills as well as learn how to get along with others. The teacher may group three to five students and place them at a table to work on a literacy center project. For example, children look through magazines or newspapers and cut out the letters in their name. They also participate in hands-on activities like shaping letters from play dough or using their fingers to write letters in cool whip.
Another effective way to reinforce the alphabet with kindergartners is targeting a specific letter each day or week. If "A" is the letter of the week, the focus is on spotting the letter in and out of class. For example, the teacher can give stickers to children when they see the letter "A" in the lunchroom or on a poster in the hallway. Students can bring snacks that begin with the targeted letter and name other items that begin with that letter's sound.
Kindergartners enjoy games, and they give teachers a fun way to reinforce alphabet fluency. "Alphabet Bingo" is a game the whole class can play at one time. Teachers can purchase it at teacher supply or discount stores or make their own bingo cards and laminate them. Teachers add variety and challenge by calling out sounds instead of letters to see if students are developing letter/sound awareness.