Alphabet Review with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Since we finished the letter “Z” last week, we started reviewing the entire alphabet today. The rest of the school year will be devoted to review with lots of fun activities.

 

We started our morning by reading the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault. This book is so much fun for the children and is great for learning the letters of the alphabet. Later the children enjoyed listening to a tape of the story. (Yes, I said tape. It is kind of old.) There is also a cute song in which some kids chant the story.

 

After our story we made our own coconut trees. The idea is based on an idea I found in the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Literature Notes) I got years ago from Carson Dellosa.

 

To make the trees I gave each child a strip of brown paper and asked them to tear it into pieces. Some of the pieces were kind of wonky, but that was alright. They then glued the torn pieces to another piece of paper. Then, I asked them to make little snips on the edges of the 5 leaves I had pre-cut. Next, they glued the leaves to the top of the tree and added 3 coconuts I had also pre-cut. When they were done they wrote their names climbing up the coconut tree. (I helped them write their names if necessary.)

 

Later, the children colored a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom alphabet slider page from Making Learning Fun.

Coconut Tree Counting Cards

One of the center activities I have out this week is a set of coconut tree counting cards I made. The children first put the cards in order. Then, they put the correct number of coconuts on each tree. Instead of the paper coconuts, pennies or beans could be used. You may download and print the cards by clicking the link above.

 

Another center activity the children will be working in pairs on this week is a build-a-letter set I printed from Tired, Need Sleep. I printed the templates and put them in sheet protectors in a binder. Then I used different colors of foam for each of the different shapes. I had a zippered 3-ring binder pouch that the pieces fit into perfectly. The children that got to complete this activity really enjoyed getting to build the letters of the alphabet. (I did make another foam piece that was slightly shorter than the 2 small rectangles. This was necessary for a couple of letters, but not part of the download.)

 

The last center I wanted to share with you involves a basket of plastic alphabet magnets. Pairs of children worked together to put the letters in ABC order. I have also pulled out a letter and asked the children to tell me which one it is.

We had a great morning and will continue our alphabet review on Wednesday.