Scrap Paper Letter Making

This is a very simple game that can be used for getting students familiar with the letters of the alphabet.

Instead of simply focusing on the writing of letters, it takes a more tactile approach.

Lesson Plan

Age group:

• Grade 1 or 2, possibly grade 3 (I do this with grade 1)

Materials:

• lots of pieces of card or scrap paper, bookmark size or similar (not too serious, but you need lots, I use around 200)

Procedure

• Write letters on board (I do them on dotted lines) – 2 mins
• Run through the names of the letters (practice as needed) – 1 or 2 mins
• Demonstration – 2 min
  • create a letter
  • raise hand (no talking)
  • wait for the teacher
  • say the letter
  • proceed to the next letter
• Repeat with two or three students – 2 min
• Activity (continue as needed or appropriate) – 10 to 15 mins
  • Choose a group of 2 to 4 students
  • Hand them a pile of scrap
  • Indicate their place on the floor (or table, etc)
  • Tell them to begin

Notes

This activity usually fills up the last 10 minutes in my class. I use the same game often, so the students are very familiar with the procedure. When I first started doing it I ran into a few issues that may be worth noting. The first time took more than 20 minutes total.

Excessive noise:

When the students are done with a letter, make sure they know that they need to only raise their hand. The first few times I tried this game I didn’t specify and it got really noisy, with students coming up to me to tell me they were done. Make sure they know to stay in their spot and put their hands up only. Benjamin noted this one during a teaching observation and it made a huge difference after I applied those rules.

Sharing issues

These are typical for younger ages. There are 3 or 4 students who really don’t know how to create these letters as groups and try to count out the cards and take their fair share. That’s not really the point so praise a successful group effort. Also, don’t put these students together, put them with patient kids who know what they’re doing. Even the kids who can’t share have become really good after five classes doing this same activity. They just need time and patience.

Lag time

Remind students to just continue after you’ve seen a letter. This will take quite some reminding at first, but eventually they’ll be speeding through the process.

Conclusion

This game is an excellent one as it give the students some real individual practice without any pressure. It also gives the teacher a chance to hear students say the letters individually and informally assess how well the students remember the alphabet letters.