Do you have little ones learning and absorbing the alphabet? It’s a building block to unlocking the code to read and write. Playful alphabet activities are the best way to help kids remember letters and letter sounds. One tool that is handy to have in the toolbox is an alphabet chart. I have a free printable alphabet chart for all the Growing Book by Book newsletter subscribers. More importantly, I’m going to show you how to use it!
Printable Alphabet Chart
This alphabet chart with pictures will help your students learn letters and sounds. There are so many playful ideas shared below for using the chart.
You will find that there are some images on this alphabet chart that aren’t as traditional as other charts. This is purposeful. We don’t want kids to only associate a letter with one particular image. I also wanted a variety of images to work on vocabulary.
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Ideas for Using an ABC Chart
READ THE ALPHABET ACTIVITY
As a first grade teacher, we started our morning routine by “reading” the alphabet chart. I either pointed to each box or had a special helper be the pointer. Together we would read through the chart. Not only did we read the letters, but we said the letter sound and named the picture.
“A, a”
“/a/” (this is the short a sound)
“apple”
“B, b”
“/b/”
“bed”
You can read the chart in alphabetical order or skip around the chart.
CUT AND ORDER ACTIVITY
You can also print an extra copy of the chart on regular paper and have the kids cut out each box to work on fine motor skills. Mix the letters and have the children put them back in ABC order. This time, have them glue each box down in a long row to make an alphabet train.
GUESS THE MISSING LETTER ACTIVITY
Have the kids close their eyes. Then, cover one of the spots on the chart with a sticky note ([easyazon_link identifier=”B00006JNMU” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]this size fits perfectly[/easyazon_link]). Have the kids open their eyes and determine which letter is covered. Repeat for several rounds.
WHAT’S THE RELATIONSHIP ALPHABET ACTIVITY
Build vocabulary by having the kids pick two or more pictures on the chart and tell how they are related. For example, tent and map are items you would need on a camping trip, you can pick apples and pumpkins, or you can find a wagon and a sandbox in a backyard.
COVER UP ALPHABET CHART IDEA
Have each child place an alphabet chart on the table and provide a handful of mini erasers, magnetic letters, bingo counters, or small food treats. Call out a letter or sound and have the child cover the correct spot on the chart.
LET’S WRITE ACTIVITY
I always have an alphabet chart hanging in my writing center and in my students’ writing folders. It’s the perfect tool for new writers to reference to find letters they need to use when sounding out a word to write.
Join our Email List and Get the Free Printable Alphabet Chart as a Thank You
This chart prints in color on 8.5 x 11 paper. I recommend printing it on cardstock or laminating it for durability. This is one tool that will get a lot of use.
*Please note the image for x has a box to focus on the proper sound for x.
This ABC chart is a thank-you gift for becoming a member of the Growing Book by Book community. Are you ready to reach all your growing readers with time-saving and developmentally appropriate literacy ideas? I’d love to share resources to help.
For more great alphabet activities check out these related posts.
Phonological Awareness and ABC Songs and Chants
*This post first appeared on Growing Book by Book on 1/19/17 and has since been updated.
Misty Sellards says
Looking forward to using this chart and exploring what else you have.
Sarah Conklin says
Thank you! This is a great resource!
Bonnie Zich says
enjoyed your talk at the Soar to Success Summit
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thank you so much!
Kara E Jones says
This is a great chart!
Alexandra says
Thank you ☺️
Alee says
Thanks
Kristy Detwiler says
Thanks! I cant wait to use this with my grandson.
cindy du plessis says
THANK YOU!
susan says
this is so good. my student will love this
Kim says
Thank you.
Jennifer says
Yay!
Molly says
Thanks
Alba says
This alphabet chart has many purposeful uses.
Crystal Thompkins says
ThThis is my go to alphabet chart year after year! THank you for thi won RESOURCE!
Jodie Rodriguez says
I’m so glad it is useful to you!
Roni Perez says
Thank you so much for all you do! i have changed my circle time to your ideas and it has helped so much.
Jodie Rodriguez says
I’m so glad the tips were useful to you, Roni!
rebecca rocha says
Love the ABC colorful chart! Thanks
Glen Mocallay says
This is of great interest.. I love it so much.. thank you and God bless…❣️❣️❣️
Kathy says
So much hard work on your part. Sooo many blessings for my part. I love all your posts and great fun ideas in reading activities. Thank you so much!!
aracely says
thank you
Beverly WAgner says
Love the alphabet ideas! Thank you
nouchi says
thank you for the abc chart
Lynn Klopfer says
thanks
EvE says
Thank you for this
Renee says
Thank you for your great ideas for using an alphabet chart.
Rebekah Larson says
Thank you for this valuable resource!!!
P Kvam says
thank you
Diana Mickow says
Thanks for the ideas.
Diane Nuhn says
Thank you! this a great resouce.
Jessica says
Hi i love the abc chart and learning games thank you!!!
Sue says
Great resources!
Donna says
Will use for my grandchilre
Thanks
Lynn says
I am a nanny and this chart will be very helpul in Many alphabet ACTIVITIES
Linda Guza says
I am a grandmother who is doing virtual school with my special needs grandson. I am in disperate need of an alphabet page with pictures. Thank you for this chart.
Laura Joppeck says
Thanks 🙂
Emma Cab says
Good Day
Very interesting and students will love the activities with the alphabet chart. i would like the alphabet chart.
Jenn Cavuto says
Love the aLphaBet chart
Fraidy says
Hi i would love to use this Alphabet chart
regina fuller says
I love your alphabet chart.
Christina kornegay says
I love the alphabet charT
Sarah coleman says
The ABC Chart looks great for my 7 year old. She needs it For referEnce when writing.
Sheryl says
super
Betsy says
Love your alphabet chart activities. One suggestion: make the X have the ks sounD we teach for it by using Fox or some Other ks sound in a word, instead of the letter name.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Hi Betsy! There are actually two versions included with this free printable. One of them does include the sound at the end of the word for educators who prefer that option.
Rocio V. says
This is awesOme and so helpful.
Julia says
What a fun and engaging printable for kids learning the alphabet! The illustrations are so adorable!
lingobuddies.fun
Barb weinberger says
these look great. thank you.
Erin says
Great resource! Thanks.
susana ramirez says
thanks =)
Sue Blough says
I appreciate your content and ideas. thanks so much.
Linda Lopez says
Cool
Beverley Jespersen says
Great resources
Lori says
Can i use the Abc chart with my prek class?
Jodie Rodriguez says
Yes, enjoy Lori!
Patty says
This is awesome! Thanks so much.
Julie-Anne Fleming says
Thank you
catherine mccardle says
Thanks a million!
Camille says
Great ideas
Alicia says
Thanks!
Maira Gutierrez says
cant wait to use the alphabet chart
Thanks
Kelli Donigan says
Nice
Ana Rodriguez says
thank you
RACHELE VAN HOUTEN says
I cannot open the ABC CHart or find the link anywhere. I’m a subscriber to your newsletter but i cannot access it anywhere. how do I get it?
Jodie Rodriguez says
Hi Rachele! Just click the button “Subscribe to Growing Book by Book”.” You won’t be added to the newsletter twice.
Robin says
Thank you! Your suppor of teacher is appreciated!!
Mary says
The sound chart is One of the best tools i use in my classroom. I use similar activties that you stated but you gave me a ciuple of new ones. Thanks! It is amazing the growth i see with my students by using this tool. Thanks for sharing!
Jodie Rodriguez says
Mary, I’m so glad you have seen success using it too. It is a great tool.
Sandy Backlund says
Hi Jodie, YOu have a great site with excellent ideas. I was about to download and print out your free alphabet chart for my grandchild (Thank YOU) because it is one of the better ones I have seen, but I got hung up on the owl for short “O”. I know it’s a small thing, but the ow dipthong rather overpowers the short sound. Wouldn’t octopus be better? Hey, don’t get too worried because I’ve been searching, and believe me, 99% of the charts have more than one picture that makes me grind my teeth. (I’m a reading specialist). “G” for giraffe kills me. Do they think kids this young are ready for the exceptions? Or that they know english spelling? Anyway, I am just looking to understand the owl thing–I see it a lot. I will print yours out and maybe find a little octopus sticker on to handle my OCD about this!!!
Jodie Rodriguez says
Hi Sandy! When you download the chart, you’ll find there is an otter instead of an owl. I originally had put an owl in as a place holder until I found approriate clip art to replace it. I took pictures of the chart before that and didn’t want to redo the images. So, no owl on the download. 🙂 Enjoy!
pamela says
Love receiving your emails
thank you 🙂
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thank you Pam for taking the time to let me know!