Learning to recognize and identify the sounds of all 26 letters is essential, but did you know that you don’t have to teach them in alphabetic order? Teaching letters DOES need to be systematic and organized so that students can master letters and their sounds. Keep reading for tips on deciding which letters to teach first in your kindergarten classroom.

Check out these related posts:

• Pre-Readers in the Classroom
• Science of Reading Alphabet Activities
• Activities to Teach the Alphabet in Kindergarten

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Letter Order

There are many ideas on the best order in which to teach letters. Do we teach letters in order, the letters in names first, or is there a better way? We are going to focus on teaching letters in an order that supports students in their ability to build and read words efficiently.

This means that we are teaching letters in the order of their frequency in words. The point is to glue sounds to letters so students can begin decoding, reading, and encoding words. We suggest teaching a few consonants and a short vowel at a time. We are NOT teaching one letter a week. Teach your students the letters m, s, t, a, and then build on with the letters p, f, c, i. Students can now read and spell hundreds of words.

Students will encounter these letters most often, so it makes sense to teach them first. Continue teaching new letters AND review previously taught letters until students have mastered all 26 letters and their sounds.

Structured Routine

A structured routine is imperative to teaching letters. Lessons should follow a predictable pattern so students know what to expect and can easily follow along. Teach letters in the same manner each time so students can focus on their learning. This might seem boring, but it works! There is time to build in fun activities associated with letters, but lessons should be structured, predictable, and direct.

Check out Simply Kinder’s Alphabet & Sound Teaching Slides and Book Bundle HERE if you are looking for an easy-to-follow letter routine in your classroom!

Letter Lessons Routine

Check out this simple routine for teaching letters and set your students up for success. We suggest a sound first approach.

• Introduce the new sound. Today we will learn the /m/ sound.
• Make the sound – Students can use mirrors to watch their mouths as they form the sound. Point out motions so students see and feel them.
• Connect a keyword and picture to the sound. Practice bouncing the sound into words with the sound – /m/ /m/ map.
• Find and Sort Pictures – Students can help locate or sort pictures that begin with the targeted sound.
• Introduce the letter. Point out that this letter is ONE way we can spell the sound.
• Locate the letter on the classroom alphabet.
• Locate the sound on the sound wall. Unlock the grapheme to represent the sound.
• Practice Letter Formation. Complete with upper and lowercase letters.
• Review the Sound and Identify the letter.

Remember to keep the routine consistent so students can focus on learning the content! Read more about Science of Reading Alphabet Activities HERE.

Get all of your alphabet activities by letter inside Simply Kinder + Printable Membership here! What’s better than an Alphabet Directory for each letter?! Just click on the letter you’re teaching and choose activities that work best for your students!