ABC Cards are great for pre-schoolers, kindergarteners and English language learners. I use my abc cards in an online classroom. Of course they can be used in person too. I created these for myself because young learners need to practice letter names, sounds, and associations to remember the alphabet and learn vocabulary.
Printable Alphabet Flash Cards
There are so many things you can do with printable alphabet flash cards. I use them for sorting activities, games, speaking and listening practice. I even incorporate magnetic letters on a whiteboard along with the flash cards so they can manipulate the letters in two different ways. This makes it easier for both the student and the teacher depending on which game or activity you are doing.
Alphabet Flash Card Games
ABC cards are a great way to play games. These games are useful because they make kids engaged and help them learn. Some of the alphabet flash card games you can use include:
- Matching
- Choose the right letter
- Letter search
- Racing a partner
There are several ways your students can play a matching game. They can match the letters to pictures or vice versa. They can match the letters to words with the first letter missing to practice beginning sounds.
For a listening game a student or teacher can say a word and the student has to choose the right beginning sound. Students could take turns saying the word and choosing the letters.
For a letter search the students have a group of pictures or words and then they have to find the right letters to match with those. You could use the entire alphabet or narrow it down to a handful of letters.
For a race, the student could do this independently, in a small group or as a class. See who wins first, second and third place by racing to match all of the letters with pictures or words (beginning sounds would be missing of course). If a student was doing this independently it would be a good idea to have him/her keep track of how long it takes to finish each time. That way they can see their improvements over an extended period.
ABC Sorting Activities
ABC sorting activities are a great way to check for comprehension. If you are comparing B and P beginning sounds or V and W beginning sounds students can have a mix of pictures that represent the sounds and sort them to the correct initial sound.
You could have a more open sort where students have a group of pictures and decide how to sort them. That way they have to think deeper about what the correct sound.
For a challenge you could add in words with the first letter omitted to see if they can recognize the correct sound.
Students could also listen to someone say the words and hold up one of two letters to check for listening comprehension.
Alphabet letters with pictures flashcards
Pictures are essential to use with alphabet cards not only because they lend themselves to more activities and games, but also because it makes learning easier for the student. Visuals help students store information longer. It also aids with comprehension. Visuals also stir up emotions and help students feel more motivated because it makes learning fun and exciting.
Alphabet flash cards download
If you are interested in alphabet cards I have two options for you.
ABC Cards Activities Tutorial
Check out my YouTube video to see how I do some of the activities mentioned in this blog post.
Want more teaching tips? Check out these posts:
Pacing and Vocabulary Tips
Total Physical Response
