Language Arts

Animal Alphabet

Objectives
Students will

  • Recite the alphabet and identify the sounds each letter makes.
  • Understand that printed letters represent spoken language.
  • Identify the names of animals that begin with particular letter sounds and draw pictures to represent these living creatures.

Materials

  • Animal Alphabet video
  • Crayons
  • Pencils and erasers
  • White construction paper, 1 sheet per student
  • Dry erase board and marker or butcher paper and marker, 1 per student group
  • Print resources with pictures of different animals

Procedures

  1. Review the alphabet with the class, letter by letter. What sounds does each letter make? Have the class watch Animal Alphabet to identify the letters, their sounds, and animals whose names begin with each letter.
  2. Tell the class that they will make an alphabet book, similar to the program. Divide the class into groups of 4 to 6, depending on how many adults (student teachers, parent volunteers, instructional assistants, classroom helpers) can help in the classroom. Have each adult ask a group to recite the alphabet and review the sounds of each letter.
  3. Then have adults assign each student a particular letter to work on for the book. Coordinate to make sure that all the letters are covered by at least one student in the class with as few duplicates as possible.
  4. Next, have adults go over the letters assigned to their group and the sounds each one makes. They can demonstrate how to write the letters either on the board or butcher paper so the students can refer to them.
  5. The adults should discuss animal names that begin with their assigned letters. They can show print resources with pictures and talk about the features of these animals and where they live. They should refer to animals featured in Animal Alphabet.
  6. Once adults are satisfied that each student can identify their assigned letter, the sounds it makes, and animal names beginning with the letter, they will give each student a piece of construction paper and crayons. Students will draw pictures of appropriate animals. If possible, have students write the letters on the drawing. More advanced students can write the names of the animals.
  7. Adults should discuss the drawings with the students as they are working. Have them assess each student's letter comprehension.
  8. Bind the completed drawings in an alphabet book to share with the class, asking students to identify the letters and the animals. Talk about the animals, pointing out unique features and discussing which ones are insects, mammals, and reptiles.