Circle Time: Upper & Lowercase Matching
Match uppercase and lowercase leaf letters in this hands-on learning game!
During large group time, engage young c...
Match uppercase and lowercase leaf letters in this hands-on learning game!
During large group time, engage young children in letter recognition with this letter match game!
What you'll need
- Uppercase and lowercase Leafs (teacher-made or using the letter game shown)
Step by step
Step 1
During circle time/large group time, line up all of the uppercase leaf letters at the front of the carpet.
Step 2
Hand each child a lower case letter leaf.
Step 3
Call each child individually. Ask them to identify the letter they have, then to come and place it under the uppercase match.
Step 4
Ask the group to make the letter sound like that letter.
More ideas
Note: You can do this same activity by placing all of the lowercase leaf letters and having the children match the uppercase leaf letters. You can always make your own letter leaf set as well!
Playful questions
What letter do you have?
What sound does the letter make?
How many letters are in the alphabet?
Do you have an uppercase letter or a lower case letter?
Learning outcomes
Language/Literacy
Receptive Language (Listening)
Follows two and three-step directions of increasing complexity; listens and responds to simple rhymes and rhythms; gains meaning listening to stories, informational texts, directions, and conversations with adult support; understands verbal and nonverbal cues.
Follows multi-step directions of increasing complexity; listens and responds to more complex rhymes and rhythms; gains meaning listening to stories, informational texts, directions, and conversations.
Language/Literacy
Foundational Reading
Continues to develop alphabetic knowledge (sings the alphabet song, may identify some letters, especially those in own name, recognizes and names some letters) and identifies some environmental print when prompted
Demonstrates growing alphabetic knowledge (recites alphabet; names and recognizes most letters and sounds); shows awareness of the uses and functions of environmental print, symbols, and other forms of print to convey meaning; recognizes that different text forms are used for different purposes.
Approaches to Learning
Memory and Reflection
Recalls and applies routine knowledge (looks for seatbelt in vehicle, expects ball to come back when bounced); plays memory games
Reflects and applies knowledge of past experiences to new situations; makes predictions based on past experiences; uses strategy during memory games
Physical Development and Health
Gross Motor Development
Shows increasing flexibility, balance, and bilateral control (begins to stand on one foot for up to 3 seconds, performs stretching exercises); coordinates body movements and refines proprioception and the vestibular sense (crosses midlines by bending, twisting to participate in activities, jumps on two feet, climbs, bounces on top of a large ball, begins to hop on one foot, uses more complex ride-on toys, seeks out swinging and spinning activities, rolls down a hill, attempts somersaults, etc.)
Demonstrates flexibility, balance, and bilateral control in purposeful movements while refining proprioception and the vestibular sense (stretches limbs during exercise, crosses midlines by bending, twisting to achieve a goal such as playing a game, balances on each foot for up to 6 seconds, manipulates riding toys, rides tricycles/bicycles, climbs up a slide, hangs from bars or the side of a bed, crab walks, rolls/balances on tummy on large yoga ball, enjoys spinning/rolling, jumping on couch/bed, etc.)