Check out the video I did this week where I demonstrate these activities.
http://bit.ly/drjeanAlternatives
Sign language is multi-sensory, active, free, and simple! Someone said that sign language was like bubblegum because it’s a great way to “stick” letters and words in the brain. It might just be the perfect way to engage children orally and physically without singing.
The ideas below actually have tunes, but you can just as easily say them.
Note!! Encourage the children to make “strong” letters. As children tighten up muscles in their hands, they will also be strengthening small motor skills.
Where Are the Letters? (Tune:
“Where Is Thumbkin?”)
Where is A? (Place hands behind your
back.)
Where is A? (Children repeat.)
Here I am. (Make "a" with your hand.)
Here I am. (Children repeat and make an "a" with their hand.)
What do you say A? (Wiggle hand.)
What do you say A? (Children repeat.)
/a/ /a/ /a/ (Make the short a sound.)
/a/ /a/ /a/ (Children repeat.)
The Alphabet in My Hands (Tune:
“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”)
I’ve got A /a/ /a/ in my hands. (Sign the letter “a.”)
I’ve got A /a/ /a/ in my hands.
I’ve got A /a/ /a/ in my hands
And I can read.
Continue signing and singing other letters.
Letter Box (Tune: “Polly Wolly Doodle”)
I wish I had a letter box
To put my A in.
I’d take it out and go (Hold up sign for a.)
/a/ /a/ /a/
And put it back again. (Pretend to put hand back in box.)
Continue singing other letters and making signs for other letters.
Go Letters!
Children stand and roll arms around in between making the manual signs for each letter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRCVJ0-nB5M&index=3&list=PL7bsHC8DZJxgo1tIChPhzEYl5gKZuqvof