Alphabet Letter A Theme Impact Poster | Preschool Lesson Plan Printable Activities

Themes

 Instructions and Suggestions

Materials

Alphabet > Letter A >
* Big Impact  Letter A Poster 
(short A Sound)

Related Themes:

Animals >
Alligator,
Ant, Anteater & Aquarium theme

Nutrition > Fruit > Apple

Safety > Ambulance & 911 Emergency

Transportation > Land transport > Ambulance
> Water transport > Anchor

Note:  This activity counts as eight separate activities due to the steps involved.  The activity is done over a number of days depending on the children's ages.

The purpose is to acquaint children with letter A beginning short sound through various fun learning experiences involving many of their senses.  They will also practice other skills in the process.   The large poster is important to create impact.  

Review all the materials and activity suggestions. Here are links to other letter A resources and materials on the web site:

Instead of the large poster do a mini-version of this activity for large groups:
* Letter A Activity Worksheet Program and Mini-Book (a mini-version of this activity).

Additional resources:  Letter A: activities and printable materials.

Version for 2 & 3 year olds:  (limit the entire activity to three or four days)
Option #1:  Adult draws an upper case and lower case letter on the large piece of paper (ahead of time).  
Option #2:  Print a letter A coloring page in standard block or D'Nealian font using the poster command in your printer (select  File > Print > Properties > Features tab > select Poster printing > 2'x2' poster) -- the template will print in four pages and you tape together - trim around the frame.

Version for older 3 to 6 year olds: (5 to eight days)
*Step 1: Adult draws large dots to form the letters (include arrows to show direction).  Child will connect the dots with paint. Proceed with the steps below.

*This activity is better accomplished when the poster is placed on a wall, poster board or easel.

*Encourage child to paint the letter.  

*Explain the proper direction of “writing” the letter.  Join child in the painting process.

*While the paint dries, discuss the letter pictures (their meaning, examples), ask child to find the hidden A's in the images, emphasize on the letter sound.

Do a short activity (5 to 15 minutes only) for each picture every other day before you glue a picture to the Impact Letter Poster.  
Note:  Always write the letter and word on the different crafts or coloring page activities.  Older children may be able to practice connecting the letter with dots.  

Letter A learning activities and craft ideas:
Here are some learning and crafts activities for each image suggested activities:

Day 1: Apple theme activities 

Day 2: Alligator activities  

Day 3: Aquarium activities

Day 4: Anchor activities   
1.  Anchor with paper chain:  Color and decorate this anchor coloring page and cut out.  Write letter A's inside the image.  Cut 5 to ten strips of colorful paper (or seven to learn the seven days of the week) about one inch wide horizontally on construction paper which is usually 9 inches wide or recycle left over wrapping paper to make the paper chain.  Glue or tape the chain to the anchor.  
Online story:  Visit this tender story of two rabbits that make a paper chain with their grandparents to help them wait for their parents until they come back from a trip. 

Day 5: Community Helper and Careers > Astronaut activities

Day 6: Ant theme activities
 
Day 7: Anteater activities

Day 8: Ambulance activities
Topics > Safety and land transportation

After each day's activity glue the appropriate flash card picture to the Impact Poster until all eight letter cards (limit the activities to 4 days for children age 4 and under).   

*Display the poster at the child’s eye level in a place he will see regularly (kitchen wall, child’s room, family room) at least for the eight day period.

*Suggestion:  Remember to make pictures of the children during the different activities to put together a Letter A Impact Week Scrapbook or Bulletin Board  with the completed crafts and impact poster.

 *Large piece of paper (tape 4 pieces of paper to make a poster size piece or standard easel pad paper)
*Materials to color and paint with
*Paint brush or sponge.

Materials to print:
* Print and cut out these letter pictures for the poster:  
Letter A Impact Flash Cards (color)   

Letter A Impact Flash Cards (black & white)


Word search & handwriting 

Tips:
* Use a hair dryer to speed the drying process of paints.
* Cut a sponge in the shape of the letter and sponge paint the letter in the poster on a different day.
 
*Older children may be able to draw their own pictures rather than pasting the pictures.  
*Glue or paint other items with the short A sound:  apple prints, etc.

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