Directions for Use

Use this ABC Back to School book during whole group, small group, or individual instruction to support alphabet knowledge and phonological awareness, two important parts of emergent literacy. Read the book repeatedly over time so students have many chances to connect letters, sounds, and meaningful school-related vocabulary.

As you read each page, point to the letter, say the letter name, name the school-related word or item, and emphasize the beginning sound when appropriate. For example: “B is for backpack. Backpack starts with /b/.” Talk briefly about the object, activity, or school routine so students connect the letter to a meaningful real-world experience.

Students can participate by finding the letter, matching it to a letter card, tracing it, listening for the first sound, clapping syllables, or comparing words that start with the same sound. Connect the vocabulary to students’ own school experiences by discussing familiar people, places, materials, and routines. Keep expectations flexible so all students can join in through speaking, pointing, choosing, eye gaze, or AAC.

For AAC users, model simple words such as school, letter, look, same, different, like, go, and help. Students can also use their keyboard with word prediction to type the first one or two letters of the school word and watch to see whether the word or related icon appears in the predictor buttons. Use the SEARCH FEATURE on the device to get step-by-step navigation support to “find the school words” (available on most common robust AAC systems). This helps connect letters, sounds, spelling, vocabulary, and AAC navigation in a meaningful way.

This resource works best when used again and again in short, engaging lessons that build confidence with letters, sounds, words, and school-related vocabulary while supporting positive connections to the school environment.

‍