What We Do

Each week is dedicated to one of the letters of the alphabet. (Almost) every weekday, the schedule looks like this:

1. We write the letter of the week. At the beginning of the week, we write the letter in flour. I read somewhere that the tactile quality helps make the activity stick. Talmage just likes playing in flour. I initially thought this might be too advanced for Talmage, but by C Week, he caught the vision and could write any letter he wanted. I should mention that Talmage could already recognize all the letters both upper and lower case and so he just needed to make a connection between the letter in his head and the finger writing the letter. If he masters the letter in flour, we move to a pencil and paper by the end of the week.

2. We look for the letter in a book and state the sound. Again, Talmage could already recognize all letters when we started this project, but he didn't know many of the sounds letters make and had a hard time hearing the letter sound in words. So for this portion of our activity, I read a book and stop when a word starts with the featured letter. When I point at the letter, Talmage tells me what sound it makes. Occasionally I will review previously featured letters, just to make sure he's paying attention.

3. We do an activity that has to do with the letter. Art project, cooking project, math activity, something. This section is rather open. Occasionally we will go somewhere.

4. At the end of the week, we do a treasure hunt. I give a series of clues that have Talmage guess a location or item that starts with the letter of the week. At the end of the hunt, he finds a candy that starts with that letter. I'm taking suggestions for a treat that starts with the letter Q now. There is a video of how this works in B Week.