Mystery Letter Game

Suggested Group Size
Onset and Rime (Whole Group); Mystery Letter Game (Small Group)

Objective(s)
The children will identify letters and letter names.

Activity
Children will recognize and verbally identify the target letter.

Targeted Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-Year-Olds
· IV. Language, Communication, and Emergent Literacy o F. Emergent Reading o F.3. Shows alphabetic knowledge · F.3.b. Child names most letters (e.g., when shown an uppercase or lowercase letter, can accurately say its name).

Materials
·
· Scissors
· Index card
· Marker
· Glue
· Magnetic strip
· Magnetic surface (e.g., cookie sheet, file cabinet, magnetic board)
· Basket or bag (for discarded letters)
· Tactile letters (e.g., sand paper letters, magnetic letter

Procedures
Before You Begin the Lesson
1. If you are using letters that are not magnetic, cut a piece of the magnetic strip and glue it to the back of each letter.
2. Choose a magnetic surface that can be easily seen by the entire class.
3. Choose the target letter for the lesson (e.g., the letter “a”). Use the marker and index card to create a sign that reads, “Does Not Belong.” Attach the sign to the basket or bag.

Introduction (Whole Group)
1. Hold the target letter up and say its name (e.g., “a”) and its sound (e.g., /a/). Then place the target letter on the magnetic surface.
2. Hold up a non-target letter (e.g., “w”) and ask if the letter you are holding up is the target letter (e.g., “a”).

Procedures (continued)
Introduction (Whole Group)
3. Wait for the children to respond. The children should say, “No, that’s not “a.” You might respond, “That’s correct. This is not the letter “a.” Then place the non-target letter in the basket or bag labeled “Does Not Belong,” for discarded letters.
4. Hold up the target letter (e.g., “a”) and ask if the letter you are holding up is the target letter (e.g., “a”).
5. Wait for the children to respond. The children should say, “Yes, that is “a.” You might respond, “That’s correct. This is the letter “a.” Then place the target letter on the magnetic surface.
6. Repeat steps one through five several times to allow the children to practice identifying examples and non-examples of the target letter.

Practice (Small Group)
Note: The small group should not be done until the