Family Literacy Nights - Texas Association for the Education of ...

Name Puzzles – for PlannersWhat you need3x5 index cards (cut in half)blank envelopesmarkers, crayons, pens, pencilsWhat you do1. Write your name on the outside of the envelope.2. Count how many letters are in your name.3. Count the same number of index card squares as letters in your name.4. Write each letter of your name on 1 index card square.(Remember to use an upper-case(capital) letter for the first letter in your name and lowercaseletters for the other letters in your name.)5. Put the letters in order to spell your name.6. Keep the letters in the envelope when you are not using them.7. Now, you can decorate your envelope!!Other IdeasUse the letters in your name to try to make other words.Use the letters in your name to help you think of other words that start with the sameletter/sound. Write them down.Make a Name Puzzle for your last name.Make a Name Puzzle for each member of your family!Tips for facilitating the activityAsk children to tell you the letters in their name if they can.Demonstrate for parents how to say each letter as they are writing it.You can also have children count how many letters are in their name so they will know how manyindex card squares to get. Help them to make the one-to-one connection between letters in theirname and index card squares.You can scramble the letters up and have the children unscramble to make their name.You can also talk about the sound each letter makes in the child’s name.Talking Points for ParentsThere are many ways to support children in learning the letters in their names. The mostimportant thing to remember is that it needs to be meaningful to the child.You can use the child’s name as a starting point for rhyming activities and alliteration, too.The capital letter is a hint about which letter comes first when putting the name puzzle together.There are also many ways to support the construction of one-to-one correspondence in day to daylife…Like counting out plates, napkins, cups, etc. at home