A magnetic alphabet board is a kindergarten favorite because it is versatile and can be used for an amazing number of activities. The magnetic letters can be placed on a metal board, table or even a refrigerator by the kindergartners to match upper and lower case words. They can also use the letters to spell their names, "spell the room" or even make sight words. These letters can also be used to match the beginning sounds of laminated pictures attached to the metal board, table or refrigerator by small magnets.
For this activity your students will first look for and find their picture and name on the outside of their name match envelope. When they open the envelope, they will find small cards with the letters of their name and a larger name card with their name written on it. They must match the small letters of their name to the name written on the large name card to spell their name correctly.
A center with alphabet books, such as "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin Jr. or "Eating the Alphabet" by Lois Ehlert, can be used at the listening table so your students can listen to the books with a tape player and headsets. Students can then match upper and lower case letter cards using the book for reference. They can use laminated upper and lower case cards to put together like two pieces of a puzzle. The students can also match the letters to pictures that begin with the same sound, using the laminated letter and picture cards.
Your students can practice correct letter formation to develop their fine motor skills. With a pencil they can trace letters onto paper by using letter stencils or magnetic letters. Students can also trace letters on worksheets or wipe-off laminated sheets with crayons, or they can write letters on small chalkboards or whiteboards.