This activity requires two sets of alphabet flashcards. One set can be placed on the table with the picture side up. The other set can be placed with the letter side up. The learner can then match the pictures with the letters they represent. As each pair is matched, it can be removed from the table. Alternatively, both sets can have the letter side up, and the letter pairs can be matched.
This activity requires two sets of flashcards with the letter on one side, but with the other side blank. Pairs of letters can be mixed together, and then be placed face down in a square grid. Begin with a 3x3 grid. As the learner’s skills increase, the grid can be made larger. The learner can flip two cards, and if the letters match, the pair can be removed. If the letters do not match, the cards must be flipped back. To make the game easier, three cards can be turned over per turn. If there is a pair, it is removed and the third card is turned back over. To make this game more interesting, the learner can be asked to say two words that start with the letter of found pairs. This activity can be played similarly with a deck of playing cards, as described elsewhere in Section 3.
The same two sets of flashcards as the previous activity can be used. Pairs of cards plus a single “wild card” will be shuffled and dealt to the players. Removing a single “X” (or another letter) can create the wild card. This activity will work with two or more players. When it is a player’s turn, he will remove one card from the player next to him. Then he will discard any pairs he collects. The goal is to discard all of one’s cards while avoiding being the one left with the “wild card.” This activity will help teach letter identification.