“Active Reading” Lesson 4944 • By Elizabeth Thompson (Expanded Version)
Grade Levels: Preschool, K, 1–2

A full menu of outdoor literacy activities to reinforce alphabet knowledge through play, movement, and sensory exploration.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Reinforce letter recognition through multi-sensory, kinesthetic activities.
• Connect letters to environmental print and real-world objects.
• Strengthen gross motor coordination (jumping, catching, running).
• Practice cooperative teamwork, turn-taking, and following directions.
• Build confidence in reciting the alphabet in sequence.
• Sort vowels vs. consonants in an active way.

Materials

• Plaster of Paris
• Cold water
• Quart-sized Ziploc baggies
• 3 oz. paper cups
• Scissors (teacher use only)
• Optional food coloring
• Jump ropes (one per student or per group of 3)
• Soft rubber ball (softball-sized)
• Playground equipment (slides, swings, tunnels, etc.)
• Cones or markers for vowel/consonant zones
• Clipboards for lists (optional)

ACTIVITY 1 — DIY Sidewalk Chalk + Alphabet Writing

A hands-on science + art + literacy activity.

Pre-Class Setup

• Add two 3-oz cups of Plaster of Paris into each Ziploc bag.
• Prepare enough for each student to have their own chalk batch.
• Plan to mix outside to avoid indoor mess.

Steps

1. Mix the Chalk

• Students pour 3 oz. cold water into their bag.
• Optional: Add a drop of coloring (warn about staining).
• Students squish to mix until the consistency is slightly runny.

2. Pour Into Cups

• Teacher snips the bottom corner of each bag.
• Students squeeze mixture into paper cups.
• Dispose of baggies.

3. Drying Time

• Let chalk dry in cups for 3 hours, out of direct sun.

4. Write the Alphabet

• Take dried chalk outside.
• Students write their ABCs in chalk on safe sidewalk or blacktop space.
• Encourage uppercase first, then lowercase.

Extensions

• Make an alphabet path for classmates to walk, hop, or skip.
• Write names, beginning-sound pictures, or simple words.

ACTIVITY 2 — Alphabet Nature Walk

A vocabulary-rich scavenger hunt.

Steps

1. Go on a Walk (or stay on playground)

• Observe surroundings safely.
• Students call out items beginning with each letter.

Example:

• A = ant, acorn, airplane
• B = bird, branch
• C = car, cloud

2. Class List

Write findings on a clipboard or chart paper when you return.

Extensions

• Draw one object from the list.
• Make a class-made ABC Nature Book.
• Older students categorize living vs. non-living items.

ACTIVITY 3 — Jump Rope Alphabet

A rhythmic, cardio-based alphabet repetition.

Steps

1. Assign Ropes or Groups

• Solo jumping OR
• Groups of 3: 2 twirlers + 1 jumper.

2. Use the Alphabet Song

• Students jump while chanting/singing the ABC song.
• Challenge: How far can they get without tripping?

Variations

• Spell their names while jumping.
• Skip to vowels only.
• Jump in slow motion for a silly version.

ACTIVITY 4 — Catch the Alphabet

A fast-paced hand–eye coordination game.

Steps

1. Start the Sequence

• Teacher tosses the ball to a child:
  Child says “A!”

2. Continue Pattern

• Catch the ball → say the next letter.
• If dropped OR incorrect → start over.

3. Level Up

For students who breeze through:

• Start at random letters.
• Do it backwards.
• Spell words (cat → C-A-T).

Group Variation

Circle passing game: each child says the next letter before passing.

ACTIVITY 5 — Musical Playground (Vowels vs. Consonants)

Movement + phonics + quick thinking.

Pre-Class Setup

• Label parts of playground as vowel zones (A, E, I, O, U).
• Other zones = consonant areas.
• Mark unsafe or “off limits” zones clearly.

Steps

1. Explain Rules

• When music plays → children play on playground as usual.
• When music stops → teacher calls out:
  “Vowel!” or “Consonant!”

Students must quickly move to a corresponding zone.

2. Play until interest fades

Great for end-of-day or final activity.

Variations

• Hold up letter cards instead of saying vowel/consonant.
• Use beginning-sound calls:
  “Go to the letter sound that starts sun!”
• Call a specific letter: “Find S!”

✨ Bonus Optional Activities

Alphabet Obstacle Course

Set letter stations:

• Crawl under “bridge B”
• Hop to “H”
• Slide at “S”
• Touch a tree for “T”

Letter Hunt with Cones

Hide letters under cones → students race to find pairs.

Spray Bottle Alphabet

Write letters with chalk → kids spray the letter the teacher calls out.

Assessment

Observe if students:

• Can recite ABCs independently
• Identify letters out of order
• Notice letters in the environment
• Sort vowels vs. consonants
• Apply beginning sounds to objects
• Work cooperatively in games
• Follow multi-step directions outdoors

️ Safety Notes

• Monitor playground surfaces for hazards.
• Keep scissors with teacher only.
• Model safe ball throwing and jump rope use.
• Avoid sending children to unsafe playground zones during Musical Playground.