Once again we will be working on German letters at home. I will be posting about the letters we cover and the cards I create to go with them. (Check the categories drop-down menu for posts on specific letters.)

For each letter of the alphabet – along with umlauts and ß and blends – I have a box with small objects that begin with that letter, as well as corresponding cards (one set with words and pictures, one set with just pictures, one set with just words).

There are a few boxes missing from the picture, but you get the idea 😉 And what would we do without Ikea?! I turned my narrow bookcase on its side, so it fits under my big windows in my new office (we just moved!). And you’ve probably seen those sets of boxes! I used a silver paint pen (the only color I had) to label the sides with the letters.

But just what do we do with our cards and little objects??

Well, here is a whole list of things we do:

• Match objects to cards
• Line up objects (5-6). Name objects. Have child close eyes, take one away. Which one is missing?
• Line up objects (5-6). Name objects. Have child close eyes, switch two objects. Which ones moved? Have him put them back in place.
• Spell out some words using plastic letters.
• Make the letter out of the objects.
• Match stickers to written word.
• Use letter stickers to spell word – match to drawn image.
• Make up a story using the objects.
• Put one item in a bag. Play “I’m thinking of …”. He has to guess the object. Maybe let him feel it through the bag?
• Sort according to a category: animals, body parts, transportation, color, etc.
• Put objects in order by color.
• Put in order by size – big to small and/or small to big.
• Play Memory.
• Play Go Fish.
• Clean up: Show him a card, he identifies the object and puts it back in the box.
• Play hangman. (advanced)

I’m really going to try to keep up with posts this year as we work through the alphabet! Daumen drücken! 🙂