Lesson Plan (Grades K–2): Alphabet Scavenger Safari

Lesson Title: Alphabet Scavenger Safari

Grade Level: Grades K–2

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Phonics & Letter Recognition)

Overview Embark on an exciting “Alphabet Scavenger Safari” where the classroom transforms into a wild habitat teeming with hidden letters. In this immersive, multi–sensory adventure, students work in small “explorer teams” to locate uppercase and lowercase letter cards concealed throughout designated areas. Upon discovery, learners:

1. Identify the letter name and articulate its primary phoneme.
2. Illustrate an object beginning with that sound, reinforcing phonemic awareness and vocabulary.
3. Contribute their drawing and card to a large-format, collaborative safari map arranged in alphabetical order.

This kinesthetic and visual journey engages diverse learners—auditory (saying sounds), visual (drawing objects), and tactile (handling cards)—while promoting cooperative learning, fine-motor development, listening skills, and emergent writing. By wrapping fundamental letter–sound instruction in an imaginative narrative, students gain confidence in early literacy skills and develop positive associations with phonics.

Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives

• LO1: Letter Recognition Students will accurately identify and name all uppercase and lowercase letters A–Z in varied fonts and contexts, demonstrating visual discrimination between letter shapes and cases.
• LO2: Phonemic Awareness Students will produce the primary sound for each letter, including distinguishing between voiced/unvoiced consonants and short–vowel sounds, and isolate initial phonemes in words.
• LO3: Vocabulary & Illustration Students will draw or select an image of an object whose initial phoneme matches the discovered letter, reinforcing letter–sound correspondence and building vocabulary.
• LO4: Alphabetic Sequencing & Collaboration Students will collaborate to place letter cards and drawings sequentially on a safari map, correctly sequencing letters from A to Z, and engage in peer discussion to describe their choices.
• LO5: Oral Language Development Students will practice complete-sentence verbalizations (e.g., “This is the letter B. B says /b/. I drew a ball.”), strengthening syntax, expressive vocabulary, and listening comprehension.

Standards Alignment

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.1.D / RF.1.1.D: Recognize and name all upper‐ and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.2.A / RF.1.2.A: Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes) by producing the primary sound for each letter.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1 / SL.1.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten/first-grade topics and texts, building on others’ talk in conversations.