A NEW IDEA FOR LETTER SOUND PRACTICE

Letter sound recognition and practice will never be the same with one simple addition to your routine.  I'm serious. Check out this idea that I pulled out of my fanny about 5 years ago.  Today, it has finally come full circle :)

It seems that I bring up being shoved down to Kinder for a year at least twice a week.  Although it was a VERY painful experience for me (it just ain't my style), I learned so much as a teacher and the ideas that were generated as a means of trying to "stay ahead of them," were/are worth their weight in gold. Well, I am going to bring this whole sob story up again today as it is the whole reason Alphabet Moves came about. 

I remember trying to teach alphabet sound practice and recognition to my crazy crew and I wanted something more . . . something out of the box . . . something that would "HOOK" them right on into my lesson.  It came to me on my commute home one day.  Why not make it a musical game? Well, that's just what I did.  I got on the horn and called dear old dad and asked for some professional help (it's pretty clutch having a songwriter for a pop if you ask me). I remember calling on a Saturday morning and saying . . . "Hey, Dad! It's D Week. Can you make me a new tune . . . by tomorrow?"  I told him exactly what I wanted . . . I even drove over, sat at the kitchen table, and we mapped it out as a WHOLE family.  That's when the first of 26 tunes was drafted. That next week, the tune was played in class and it received glowing marks from the kiddos and from me (we're talking kid tested and teacher approved). The whole Kinder wing tried it out and begged for more. Well, it only took us 4 years to get our act together . . . better late than never, right? 

Here's how Alphabet Moves works.  Each letter of the alphabet gets a short little song (like 1:30 - 1:45).  The kids listen for words that contain the correct letter sound and complete the appropriate movement.  What movement is this you ask? Well, as each tune begins, the movements are given orally to the students. Once the voice finishes and the music starts, kiddos turn on their listening ears and start movin'!

Let me show you . . . sigh . . . I need to have kids so I can make them do this embarrassing stuff.  You have to see this one in action to get the "magic" that will surely happen in your classroom.  It sure did in mine. On that note (haha . . . get it), I bring you FLIP FOR F.    

Let me pause for a second to get my pride back in check.  I don't mind acting like a total dork on my blog or in front of most people.  However, I couldn't video this by myself as I was busy flippin'. Do you know where I am going with this little aside?  Um, well, asking my husband to take this little ditty was the hard part.  Sure, we act totally dippy together all the time, but I may never live this one down ;)

Moving on . . . so, my dad (Ron Brown's Intelli-Tunes) and I worked together to create 26 tunes for this activity. It was my brain child, but he did all the heavy lifting on this one . . . thanks DADDY :)  We came up with the likes of Dance for D, Grin For G, Itch for I, and Sleep for S.

Here is a look-see at my Kinder kids in action. 

The giggles and smiles were contagious and they actually LISTENED.

These were created for TK/PRE-K and K students.  However, I do toss these in at the beginning of the year in first grade.  We always begin the year with letter sound review and handwriting practice.  The kids and I tackle a letter a day . . . and you can bet that we will be jammin' to one of these while we are at it.  And, I am not just saying that I am going to TRY this . . . I have done this in 1st and they loved it.  You just have to "sell it" to 'em and they will be all about floppin' around on the floor.  

This is what happens when you ask your husband to help you showcase something.
(SLEEP FOR S, ITCH FOR I, GRIN FOR G, AND FLIP FOR F)
But, if you get into it . . . so will your kids.

ALPHABET MOVES OUTTAKES

The things we do in the name of education.

Nice, dear . . . thanks for these stellar pictures.

Lovin' my messy office in the background - that's an added bonus today.

In addition to the 26 audio files (professionally recorded and in MP3 form mind you), this pack also offers up handwriting practice pages for each letter.  Click the cover below to read more and hear additional song samples (audio file in the packet preview). 

Wanna snag a sample before you leave today?  I put one of my favorite tunes (FLIP FOR F) in a little package for you.  

Although I have created this handy dandy pack, you don't need me to rock this idea in your classroom.  All you need is an instrumental, the ability to keep a beat, and a list of words.  If you are a MAC user, Garage Band is your friend.  It is so easy to create quick little jams in this program.  Not a MAC user or don't want to take the time . . . no worries.  Pick yourself an instrumental or a tune without words.  Pick a letter to tackle, show your babes the move, and play this tune while you call out words on the beat.  Same concept . . . just in a little different package. 

Alright, I have yammered on long enough.  I hope you have a wonderful day and a great back to school run (where ever you may be in the process).  I will be back again VERY soon.