LearningTip
#3: Use Alphabet Books to
Strengthen Phonics, Build Self-Esteem,
And Reinforce School Learning of Content
By
Joyce Melton Pagés, Ed.D.
Educator, President of KidBibs
Alphabet books have been popular for many years with young children. These ABC books typically devote one or two pages to things that start with each letter of the alphabet. They can be used in a number of ways with young children and older readers. Young children can develop phonics skills by reading and discussing all of the, for example, "B" words and pictures on the page. More experienced readers can use the format of the ABC Book to strengthen their understanding of the information that they have learned from a family vacation or a unit taught at school.
Phonics Activity
Since ABC Books often have several words and/or pictures on a page
that start with the sound of the designated letter, parents and teachers can
have the child name the letter and say the words that start with the letter
(while pointing to the word or picture). Objects around the house or classroom
that start with that sound can also be identified. This helps the child learn
that the letter "B" makes the sound at the beginning of the "B"
words on the page. Since this strategy works best with letters that are consistent,
parents and teachers should notice if there is more than one sound for the letter
represented in the words and pictures on the page. Vowels typically represent
several different sounds. There is also some variation in the sounds of "c"
and "g".
There are many good ABC books available. They can be found in libraries and bookstores. The following ABC books are available from Amazon.com, the online bookstore. By clicking on the title, you may find out more information about the book and order it from Amazon.com if you choose.
A Fly in the Sky by Kristin Joy Pratt
The Alphabet from Z to A With Much Confusion Along the Way by Judith Viorst
Animalia by Graeme Base
Aster Aardvark's Alphabet Adventures by Steven Kellogg
Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert
The Book of Shadow Boxes: A Story of the ABC's by Laura L. Seeley
Two other alphabet books combine the sounds of the letters with concept development in an entertaining and interactive way.
Q is for Duck: An Alphabet Guessing Game by Mary Elting and Michael Folsom (illustrated by Jack Kent) focuses on having children guess a meaningful word related to the letter and topic provided. The books starts with, "'A' is for Zoo, Why? Because Animals live in the Zoo. 'B' is for Dog, Why? Because a dog Barks," etc.
Tomorrow's Alphabet by George Shannon (illustrated by Donald Crews) focuses the child's attention on what the thing will be tomorrow. The book starts with, "'A' is for seed, tomorrow's Apple; 'B' is for eggs, tomorrow's Birds," etc.
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Parenting
Activity
As mentioned earlier, ABC books typically devote one or two pages to each letter
of the alphabet. Parents or grandparents can use this idea to develop an ABC
book about their child/grandchild. Staples, colorful ribbons, or metal rings
can be used to "bind" pages of the book together. Printed letters
or letters cut out of magazines or newspapers can be glued to the sheets of
paper to designate the letter for that page. Pictures of the child can be mounted
throughout the book. The book could be entitled, for example, The ABCs of Jessica.
Then on each page, words can be written in different colors of marker which
start with that letter and describe the child or things that s/he likes. For
example, Jessica's "S" page could have words like: silly, smart, super,
student, sensitive, spaghetti lover, smile giver, scientist, sweetie pie, sister,
special. It is sometimes fun to try to write the words so that the meaning of
the word is conveyed in the way the word is written. For example, "silly"
could be written:
s i l l y
In addition to being a fun book to build the self-esteem of the child, this can be a good way to build vocabulary as well. This makes a thoughtful gift for the child on the occasion of a special event (birthday, kindergarten graduation, etc.)
A variation of this strategy could involve the child making this book with a parent, grandparent, or another important person in his/her life. Either way, this book is likely to be a "keeper!"
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Teaching
Activity
Teachers can use the concept of the ABC book to stimulate interest in
a topic, review previously taught information, or strengthen the students' learning
of content. Jerry Pallotta has written numerous ABC books that focus on a variety
of topics.
These books can be incorporated into instructional units in meaningful ways. In addition, students could write and illustrate their own ABC books about the content that they've learned. These books can be written individually, in small groups, or as a whole class. Their ABCs of Space book or the Human Body ABC Book could be shared with students in other classes. Alphabet books can also be published online. Mr. Fontanella's kindergarten class in Juneau, AL published An Alphabet Book Online. In addition, Mrs. Habib's second grade class in Amman, Jordan has created ABCs of Jordan.
Other online alphabet book resources include:
Virtual Alphabet by Mrs. JoAnn Madden, Perkett Elementary School, Minot, ND
© KidBibs
International
http://www.kidbibs.com/
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