by Pieces of Learning Staff Development Presenter Nancy Polette

From the “Alligator Song” sung to “The Farmer in the Dell” to Z is for Zoo, beginning research resulting in a True/False picture book, A-Z Activities is a great reproducible activity book for both summer fun at home and library time at school. For each letter of the alphabet there are activities that address various learning styles and ability levels.

Over 180 activities are included in stories, poems, songs, games, riddles, finger plays, chants, echo reading, rhyming, alliteration, dictionary hunts, and more. Activities call for both creative and critical thinking.

• Young students have an opportunity to expand their use of oral language and learn new language patterns.
• Through the poems and stories students internalize the repeating patterns of language.
• Creative drama, creative writing, choral reading, and storytelling enhance oral and written language skills.
• Students learn how to, identify rhyming words, learn about blends, and create sentences.
• Students apply comprehension strategies by making connections between what they read and what they know.
• Students learn to compare and contrast characters, events, and themes.
• Through discussion, they validate what they have learned.

The author provides the teacher/parent with picture books and stories from the best writers.