There are projects that just stick with us over time. This is mine! When I started teaching kindergarten 13 years ago my mentor teacher introduced me to these.
Alphabet Books!
Of course back then my digital skills were lacking (and so was the technology!) so we made everything by hand. Students traced templates and cut and glued their way through the alphabet and the end result was always amazing. I loved them so much that I brought them back to life in a more user friendly format when I returned to kindergarten 5 years ago. I love all of the skills and procedures that they help me teach early in the year and the kids love making them.
Here is how we make them!
First, students get an alphabet page and the copy of the item. Most years I have copied them on cardstock or construction paper but we have been BANNED from putting construction paper in our copiers at school. So we have gone to copying on white paper and having students color in the pieces. It actually works out quite nicely this way and is super easy to copy too!
Second they color the pieces, cut them out, and glue them to the alphabet page. This one simple page introduces coloring completely, cutting and gluing, procedures for throwing away trash, and raising our hand when we are done working. We do this on the second day of school so that's a pretty big deal!
Third, students add in antennas, feet, and eyes (or whatever details they need on the alphabet page they are working on) and then trace the word at the bottom. I sometimes have them glue on googlie eyes or they can color those in too. The border is always an option too! My students love coloring in a pattern around the edge.
We can send the pages home daily as we review each letter of the alphabet at the beginning of the year (26 days, 26 letters) or keep them all to collect in a book. I prefer the book method so we can really celebrate when we get through it. I copy them all and have them stapled at the beginning of the year so I can just hand out books instead of individual papers each day. Here is an example of the cover for boys. I included one for girls too!
That is my very very favorite kindergarten tradition and I get so excited to introduce it each year. If you would like to see these in my TPT store click HERE!
And click HERE for a FREE set of alphabet posters. These are the posters I use in my room!
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