Magnetic Letter Activity

It's 2012! I thought I would begin the year by sharing a literacy activity I've been using in my class. This activity was really easy to put together and my students really enjoy it.

I am always looking for fun ways for students to practice making words during literacy centers. I like using colorful magnetic letters. It really seems to engage the students.

In the past I've had them use magnetic letters to make words that I'd written out on note cards. After making a  word with the magnetic letters they practice reading the word before making the next word.

This year I did something a little different. I got this idea from watching a video on Teachertipster.com. Mr. Smith used photographs of words made out of magnetic letters. He loaded the photographs onto a digital picture frame. This is a great go to activity. Students can practice words quietly once they've finished other assignments.

While I would like to do use this activity, I have yet to find a reasonably priced digital frame. However, I love the idea of using pictures of words made with magnetic letters. One day after school, I took photographs of words I made with magnetic letters.





I put the photographs into a word document and made cards. I printed the cards on white card stock. Then I laminated them using my Scotch laminator (I love having my own laminator!)

Magnetic Word Cards

After I laminated the cards I used used magnetic tape on the back.  The front of my desk faces a carpet, where one of my literacy centers is located.  My desk is metal so it provides an excellent surface for magnetic activities. I decided to use these cards as a follow up activity at this center. I placed the cards in a baggy and used a magnetic clip to attach the bag to the desk. I also stuck all the necessary magnetic letters to the desk.



My students select a card and stick it to the desk. Then they find the correct magnetic letters to make the word. Finally, they practice reading the word. This activity gives them practice at building words and blending.

After winter break I am going to add dry erase sentence strips to the activity, so they can practice writing the words and using them in sentences.