Letter Matching and Fine Motor Practice

Here is another set of materials I've made to help the children practice letters - this lesson promotes letter  recognition with matching and fine motor skills.  I plan to place these strips on the shelves near the Sandpaper Letters so that once a child has been introduced the corresponding group of Sandpaper Letters (which are separated into three groups) they can begin working with this matching activity as well.  In the past, I have noticed that some children can quickly recall the letter sound associated with the symbol by simply using the Sandpaper Letters.  Others, however, benefit from more practice with additional materials in conjunction with the Sandpaper Letters.  I feel that this material will provide my students another opportunity to bridge knowledge while enhancing the pincer grasp needed for writing.  During the presentation of this lesson, I will stress the importance of saying the letter sound of the letter they are matching.  I envision some children practicing with the Sandpaper Letters and these strips at the same time.  For example, they can trace 'p' on the Sandpaper Letter then find the clip and match it on the strip.

Letter matching with clothespins.

Later in the year, I will add a set of clothespins with the corresponding printed letter so the children may match the printed version of a letter to the cursive font.  As with any material I've made, I look forward to implementing it in my classroom, observing the response from my students, and adapting or changing lessons based on their needs and interests.

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