Phonics Practice: Alphabet Ties & Alphabet Mats

Happy Summer! Are you out of school where you are? I am already enjoying the slower pace of summertime with my family, but I like to think ahead to the next school year while I have a clear head and I can search for resources from the comfort of my couch! Getting ahead on planning and prepping school activities makes me even more excited to meet my new class in the fall!

If you are looking for some phonics resources for next year that cover the entire alphabet, I have some fun, low-prep resources to share with you!

Alphabet Ties

These Alphabet Ties are a fun phonics resource that your students can wear! As you introduce new letters in your classroom, give each student a tie. The students decorate the tie and practice tracing the letter. 

You can even turn decorating this tie into a phonics lesson. As students are coloring the different pictures in, have them say the name of the objects out loud and listen for that beginning consonant sound!

Once the ties are decorated, your learners will practice fine motor skills by cutting the tie out. The two lines on either side of the tie also need to be cut out. These will be glued to the top of the tie, and then fastened around the students when they wear them. 

The best part about this cute craft is that your students can wear the ties home. Their parents will know exactly what you worked on that day, and can have great conversation with the students about the letters they have learned! 

Alphabet Mats

Another easy resource that you can prep for next year are my Alphabet Mats. These are as simple as printing them now, laminating, and filing them away for later!  

Alphabet Mats are a fun, interactive letter activity for early learners. The directions on each mat are clear and simple: students must circle every picture they see that begins with that letter, and put an ‘X’ on the letter every time they see it on the mat. You could treat your class like a group of little detectives and give them magnifying glasses as they “hunt” for the pictures and letters on their mats. :-) 

These mats are really versatile. You could use them as morning work for letters you are reviewing. You could put them out as centers during your literacy block. You could complete them whole group after a letter has been just introduced...however you can imagine these in your classroom, they will work! 

I hope everyone has a great, relaxing summer, and that you find lots of ideas to inspire you to have a great year next year!