Alphabet Art Book

Materials

Construction paper in many colors alphabet stencils (large enough to cover half a sheet of construction paper) hole punch reinforcements, optional an art medium for each letter of the alphabet (for example apple stickers for A, macaroni for M, insect stamps for I, and so on) ring for each child

Instructions

1. Cut construction paper in half and divide the paper into 26 stacks. Cut enough sheets so that each child can take one sheet from each stack. (Have a few extra sheets in each stack for mistakes.)2. Use stencils to trace the outline of each letter (upper- and lowercase) on each sheet of paper, again making sure you have enough for each child to have each letter.

3. Punch a hole in the top left corner of each page. If desired, add a reinforcement to the hole.

4. When you are ready to do your first letter, give each child an alphabet page and a corresponding art medium (one that starts with that letter). Encourage them to fill in the letter using the medium gluing, drawing, stamping, etc.

5. On the first letter page, attach a ring to the top left corner and a letter to the parents that reads, "Dear parents: This is the beginning of your child's alphabet book. As we learn each letter of the alphabet, your child will bring home a new page for their book. Please help them to open the ring and add each new page to the book. At the end of the year, they will have a completealphabet book to enjoy."6. As you study each letter, try to come up with different items for the child to put on the letter. For example, feather F's, jewel J's, polka dot (bingo daubers) P's, Lego print L's, and kitten stickers for K. The possibilities are endless.

7. Be careful not to choose items that are too heavy because they weigh the book down. Author Note: When I start to prepare the pages for this book, I do the first 13 letters at the beginning of the year and the rest in the middle of the year. I cut and count the pages and then put about three to four letters together in kits with the stencils and reinforcements. Then I give these to parent volunteers to trace the letters, punch the holes, and stick on the reinforcements. This is a HUGE time saver!