In a large space, spread out a set of alphabet tiles to form a circle representing "Noah's Ark." Introduce a "Start" sound, such as the jingle of a tambourine, and ask children to perform a movement, such as hopping or skipping inside the circle of tiles. They should avoid touching the tiles and each other as they move. On hearing the "Stop" sound, such as a tambourine tap, children should jump onto a tile and remain still. Call out the names of two animals of the same species, such as the names of two birds, for example, a penguin and a hen. Children who are standing on the "P" and "H" tiles can mimic the birds' movements inside the circle until you signal "Stop."
Teach children to develop legible handwriting skills by using large movements of their arm, hand and index finger to write letter shapes in the air. Once children achieve correct letter movement sequences by using gross motor movements, they can transfer skills to activities that require fine motor movements, such as writing. Stand in front of the children and face the same way as them. Provide clear instructions as you model the correct starting point and finishing point of each letter with your hand and arm. For example, for letter "P," say: "Start at the top and bring your arm down, then go back up and wind it around." Play gentle, melodic music to help children focus on making smooth movements to form each letter.
This activity adapts and extends the alphabet song, "Teatime Treats," which is suggested by Helen MacGregor, author of "Bingo Lingo." Let the children form a circle and hold hands. Get the children to all face the same direction as they walk around in a ring and chant the following rhyme to the tune of "Polly Put the Kettle On": "Polly puts the pizza in/Polly puts the pizza in/Polly puts the pizza in/We'll all have tea." At the end of the verse, stop walking and encourage the children to think of the name of a food or drink that starts with the same letter sound as their first name. When a suggestion is found, resume the circling movement as you sing the next verse together.
Sue Lloyd's "Jolly Phonics" method introduces hand gestures and mimes to represent each of the 42 main sounds of the English language. "Young children learn particularly quickly when there is drama and activity involved," according to Lloyd, author of "The Phonics Handbook." For example, the letter sound "B" is represented by the mime of hitting a ball with a bat. Encourage children to use their imaginations to suggest ideas for hand gestures, physical movements and mimes to represent the letter sounds you are teaching. For example, the letter sound "B" is equally represented by the word "boat" and the action of using oars to row a boat. Make a note of the best suggestions for each sound and repeat the actions with the children during future phonics lessons.