Alphabet Recognition and Early Math FREE articles, lesson plans, worksheets, songs and more By Allison Hall
Using the Bible to Teach Alphabet Recognition
T
he Bible is the most published and widely circulated book. It provides us with the teachings of Christ, and has major influence on our history and literature. The stories, symbols and concepts in the Bible also make it an ideal resource to teach alphabet recognition. Indeed, mastery of alphabet recognition (knowing the letters and their sounds) and phonemic awareness (ability to hear, identify and manipulate sounds) are two predictors of early reading success. English is an alphabetic language; therefore this pre-reading skill is also needed for children to understand the alphabet principle, that the letters represent sounds, and these sounds can be blended to form the words. Most young children are first introduced to the alphabet when they learn the alphabet song and explore print in books and their environment. By the time they are three years old most parents purchase a workbook/activity book to help their children to further master the alphabet. A good alphabet workbook helps children learn a11 aspects of the alphabet-the letter sounds, letter shapes and other multisensory activities that promote learning. Bible Phonics: A-B-C is an excellent alphabet workbook to help children explore the alphabet whilst learning more about the Bible. The workbook is designed to meet the unique learning styles of children and also caters to their development needs, regardless of their age level. The book includes: 1. An informative introduction which guides parents and teachers on how to use the book. 2. Two reproducible activity pages which helps children to learn the upper- and lowercase
forms of each letter. One of the pages has a picture and the corresponding picture name which represents words beginning with the targeted letter sounds. 3. Alliterative sentences to build children’s phonemic awareness skills. This also provides students with a connected story to reinforce the letter sounds, learn more about the Bible, and foster an enjoyment of reading. For example: Baby Moses is in the basket by the river bank. Exodus 2:3 4. Integrated concepts that further provide children with opportunities master alphabet recognition and to explore other themes. For example, animals in the Bible and alphabet aerobics. 5. Engaging multisensory activities to foster children’s understanding of the sound-symbol relationships and build their vocabulary.
Teaching Letter „Aa‟ Aim To ensure that children master alphabet recognition.
Objective Students will hear, say and write letter Aa‟.
Resources
Bible Phonics: A-B-C Workbook Whiteboard marker/chalk Whiteboard/chalkboard Alphabet poster Children‟s Bible The Amazing Ant (Non-fiction ), or The Ant and the Grasshopper
Key Lesson Hear it (Phonemic Awareness)
Read the alliterative sentence. Place special oral emphasis on the words that begin with the /a/ sound. Say, “Be as wise as an ant.” Proverbs 6.6 Ask the children to say the sound they heard the most often when you read the sentence. Repeat the sentence.
Say it (Letter Sound-out)
Invite children to examine your mouth formation as you say the sound /a/. Then have them say the sound /a/ at least thrice. Sing the „A‟ song. Then invite the children to sing it with you. Ask the children to name the letter that says the sound /a/. Tell them that letter „Aa‟ is the first letter in the alphabet (Point to the alphabet poster). Inform them that letter „Aa‟ says /a/ as in ant. (Advice children that letter ‘Aa’ can make other sounds, but they will be learning all about the short ‘a’ sound, first.) Discuss names of children or objects in the class that begin with the /a/ sound.
Write it (Letter Formation)
Ask children to look on the board, or screen, as you write the letter in its upperand lowercase forms. Point out the sequence in which each letter is formed and the proper pencil grip (Students in pre-K should be taught the uppercase first).
1
Have children use the Bible Phonics: A-B-C practice pages (available on Amazon and in stores) to write the letter in its upper– and lowercase forms.
Remember it (Letter Knowledge) Audio-visual Discrimination - Show the children three objects or pictures. Two of these should begin with the /a/ sound. For example, an apple, an arrow and a book. Invite them to say the names of the pictures or objects. Ask them which picture or object has a name that begins with the /a/ sound. They should then do the Bible Phonics: A-B -C activity in which they circle the picture that has a name which begins with /a/. Visual Discrimination - Ask the children to look carefully at the letters then circle the letter „Aa‟ in its upper- and lowercase forms.
Reading Folklore)
Connection
(Thematic
Integration-Religion,
Science
and
Read Aloud Read the non-fiction piece about the ant which supports Proverbs 6:6-8, or you can read the story, The Ant and the Grasshopper (Inform children that it is not in the Bible, but it relates to the Bible verse about ants). Story Elements Discuss the story using “wh” elements (who, what, why, when, where) and how. Tell children that even though they are young God wants them to be wise, when he says, “Be as wise as an ant.” Proverbs 6.6. Inform them what it means to be wise: kindness, obedience and hardworking.
Home-School Connection 1. Have the children identify objects at home, or persons and pets who have names that begin with the /a/ sound. Discuss when they return to class. 2. Ask the children to cut and paste pictures of objects that have names that begin with the /a/ sound. They should place them in their alphabet scrap books. Ask parents to help children to write the picture names below each picture.
Additional Practice Ant Craft – Visual Arts Connection Have the children make an ant craft. Examples can be seen on Bible Phonics Pinterest page, https://www.pinterest.com/allisoncarlhall/bible-phonics/ Ant Song – Math Connection Sing the song, The Ants Go Marching Ant Movie - Character Development Watch the movie, The Ant Bully. Ant Song – Phonemic Awareness Sing the „Aa‟ song as reinforcement The „Aa‟ Song (Tune: Bits of Paper) A says /a/, A says /a/ A says /a/, A says /a/ A is for ant, A is for ant A says /a/, A says /a/
2
Using the Bible to Teach Early Childhood Mathematics
C
hildren learn mathematical concepts every day in their environment. Many know, for instance, that most persons have two eyes, two ears and ten fingers on their bodies. Recognizing numerals, counting and computation are critical mathematics skills which children should learn at an early stage in their development. Through math, children also learn how to compare, contrast, identify patterns and explore their world. The Bible is a great resource to teach young children these math concepts. The stories, symbols and concepts in the Bible make it an ideal early math teaching resource. By the time children are three years old most receive their first numbers and counting workbook from their parents. However, parents should ensure that the workbook purchased has the appropriate activities and strategies to master these early math concepts. Bible Math: 1-2-3 is an excellent numbers and counting workbook to teach these concepts, whilst integrated Bible themes. The workbook is designed to meet the unique learning styles of children and also caters to their development needs, regardless of their age level. The workbook has: 1. An informative introduction which guides parents and teachers on how to use the book 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
7.
to help children. Pictures to represent the targeted numeral and the corresponding number name. Two reproducible activity pages that provide children with the opportunity to learn the number, the number name and build fine motor skills. Rhymes and songs which help children to remember the numbers and their number names, whilst guiding them to a connected story to learn more about the Bible. Basic computation tasks to teach addition and subtraction. Integrated concepts that allow children to explore other themes, for example, geometric shapes and language arts (through storytelling and rhymes). Multi-sensory activities for children to utilize their senses and make learning more fun.
Teaching Number „I‟ Aim To ensure that children master number recognition.
one
Objective Students will identify and write numeral 1 and its number name, as well recognise objects or pictures that depict the concept of one.
Resources
Bible Math: 1-2-3 Workbook Whiteboard marker/chalk Whiteboard/chalkboard Children‟s Bible Counting objects ICT (Internet access, laptop, projector)
Key Lesson See it (Number Recognition)
Show the class an object, for example a pencil. Ask them how many pencils do you have in your hand. Then raise your index finger and ask how many fingers are raised. Next, ask the children how many suns do they see when they look up in the sky. Discuss their responses. Inform them that they will be learning all about number one. Tell them that there is only one of some things in the world. For example, inform them that we have just one bright sun that gives us light in the day, and also that they are unique and there is no one exactly like them in the world.
Write it (Number Formation)
Invite a child to write numeral one on the board. Then inform children that numeral one looks like a straight line most of the times. Ask children to look on the board, or screen, as you write the numeral, then the number name. Point out the sequence in which each is formed and the proper pencil grip. Have the children spell the number name as you point on each letter. Have children use the Bible Phonics: 1-2-3 practice pages (available on Amazon and in stores) to trace and write number one and its number name.
1
Remember it (Number Sense)
Show children three groups of objects. One of the group should have just one object. Ask them which group has just one object. Invite children to do a variety of movements that show “how many”. For example you could invite them to clap once and jump once.
Reading Connection (Thematic Integration- Science)
Read the story of creation in Genesis 1 then tell students why God made the sun. Read the non-fiction piece about the sun. Then have them watch a video about the sun. For example, I‟m So Hot (a sun song found on Youtube)
Home-School Connection Counting Poster - Have the children draw an object in which only one is located at home or school. They should place them in their scrap books. Children should write the number and picture name beneath the picture. Parents should assist them in writing the picture name.
Additional Practice Ant Song – Counting in Sequence Sing the song, The Ants Go Marching Counting Song – Counting in Sequence Sing the counting song as reinforcement
Seth Jon
es
The „Counting‟ Song Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 8-9-10-11 and 12 13-14-15-16 17-18-19-20 now I know my 1-2-3s, next time won‟t you count with me.
Additional Resources Additional resources on how you can use the Bible to each early childhood math are available on the Bible Math Pinterest page https://www.pinterest.com/allisoncarlhall/bible-math/
I sun
We must show our children that the Bible supports the public school curriculum.
Creating tomorrow’s disciples begins with the seeds we sow in our children today.
Create “BibLitKids” with teaching materials that integrate both Christian and public school education themes and concepts.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15