Write each letter of the alphabet on an index card, cycling among different colors of marker for the letters. The letters need to be written in multiple colors for visual cues and for learning color identification. The ten basic colors to use are red, blue, brown, black, gray, orange, pink, purple, green, and yellow.
Duplicate the previous set of cards, including the colors of the letters in the first set. Matching pairs of letters have now been created.
Using tape, hang one set of the alphabet cards throughout the classroom. The first time the game is played, place the cards where they are easily visible. As the children become more proficient at the game, the cards can be more hidden in more challenging locations.
Give each student one of the alphabet cards from the second set of cards. If the student has the red "A", then he needs to be instructed to look for another red "A." When the student locates the matching letter, he will take both letters to the teacher and say that he has found a red "A." Having the student identify the colors is a secondary lesson being taught through the matching game. The use of colors is also a visual reinforcer and cue that helps the student to locate the matching letter card.
As the student becomes more proficient at identifying the alphabet letters, the teacher can ask the student to tell something he knows about the letter such as naming a word that starts with that letter.
Begin by having the students match and identify uppercase letters and then progress to having them match and identify lowercase letters with a new double set of cards. When the student can easily identify both uppercase and lowercase letters, progress by giving the student a card with an uppercase letter and have them locate the corresponding lowercase letter.