Alphabet Cover Up: Space Theme
Recommended Grade Level:
Type of Resource: PDF
Number of Pages: 20
Coordinating Activities
Space Alphabet Cover Up
- Uppercase letter mat (a space scene) with 26 uppercase letter cards to cut out
- Lowercase letter mat with 26 lowercase letter cards to cut out
- Color and black and white versions
- Table of contents and instruction page
The letters on the mat are mixed up, so kids have to look closely to find each match. Use the uppercase letter cards on the lowercase mat for an added challenge.
Required Materials:
- Paper, printer and ink
- Laminator
- Paper cutter or scissors
Standards for Letter Recognition
This space alphabet activity supports early literacy standards connected to naming uppercase and lowercase letters and matching letter forms.
Common Core State Standards: English Language Arts
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.1.D: Recognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the alphabet. Kids name each letter as they find it on the mat.
Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and TEKS for English Language Arts and Reading
- PK4.III.C.1: Child recognizes and names at least 20 letters. Kids say the name of each letter they match.
- TEKS ELA K.2(D)(v): Demonstrate print awareness by identifying all uppercase and lowercase letters. Kids match letters in uppercase and lowercase forms.
Virginia English Standards of Learning
- K.FFR.3.A: Identify capital and lowercase letters of the alphabet. Kids match capital and lowercase letters.
Space Alphabet Cover Up gives preschool and kindergarten kids hands-on letter matching practice as they cover each letter on a space mat with its matching letter piece.
The letters are scattered across stars and planets in outer space. Kids pick a card and find the matching letter in the sky.
Kids pick a letter, say its name and look for the matching letter on the mat. Use the same mat again and again, since the letters are in a mixed-up order.
Use the color pages for a bright center or the black and white pages to save ink. Start with the uppercase set, then mix uppercase and lowercase when kids are ready.
How to Use Space Alphabet Cover Up
- Print, laminate and cut apart the letter pieces.
- Kids pick a piece and say the letter name.
- Kids find the matching letter on the mat and cover it.
- Keep going until the whole mat is covered.
Small Group: Take turns picking a letter and naming it before finding the match.
Literacy Center: Set out the pieces in a basket or sensory bin so kids can work on their own or with a partner.
Easy Ways to Differentiate This Alphabet Activity
Every group has a mix of letter knowledge and fine motor skills. These simple changes keep the activity familiar while meeting each child where they are.
For Children Who Need More Support:
- Start with a few pieces at a time.
- Match uppercase to uppercase first.
- Name each letter together before searching.
- Point to the row where the letter is.
For On-Level Practice:
- Cover the whole mat.
- Say each letter name out loud.
- Use the lowercase mat.
- Say the letter sound after each match.
For an Extra Challenge:
- Use the uppercase pieces on the lowercase mat.
- Name a word that starts with each letter.
- Write each letter after finding it.
- Race a partner to cover a row.
For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support:
- Say the letter name and sound together and give plenty of wait time.
- Accept pointing, gestures, AAC or any communication method the child already uses.
- Use tongs or tweezers to pick up the pieces for added fine motor practice.
- Work on the same small set of letters across several sessions.
Space Alphabet Cover Up Is Perfect For:
- Preschool and pre-K
- Kindergarten
- Space themes
- Literacy centers
- Sensory bins
- Letter of the week
- Morning tubs
- Small-group instruction
- Special education
- ELL and multilingual learners
- Homeschool
