Grade 1/2 Literacy Provocations
Activity Picture Materials Needed Focus
Jenga write sight
words and/or letters on jenga blocks
have students read the block as they pull it out.
Jenga (can be purchased at Dollarama)
sharpie to write on blocks
sight word fluency
Word Strings beads with
letters to create necklaces or bracelets
letter beads or wooden beads with letters written on
string
building words
play with sounds and blends
Word Stones create words
using stone letters
create sentences using stone words
stones sharpie to
write on words and letters
building words
play with sounds and blends
Letter Stamps create words
using letter stamps
list of sight words for reference
stamps ink pad paper
building words
play with sounds and blends
Tinfoil Writing students use
markers to write stories, letters or words on tinfoil
letter tiles and sight word list for reference
tinfoil markers
building words
play with sounds and blends
printing practice
Plexiglass Writing students use
markers to write on plexiglass (sensor bin lid)
plexiglass or sensory bin lid
markers magazines
for inspiration
sight word list for reference
building words
play with sounds and blends
printing practice
Picture Reflection students are
invited to write about pictures of themselves or their friends that have been taken earlier on in the year
large paper for posting pictures and writing lines underneath
pictures ruler sharpie letter tiles sight words
building words
play with sounds and blends
printing practice
Sensory Stories students use
objects in small sensory bins to create oral stories
various sensory items (sand, rocks, water)
small animals or people
small plastic bins
building oral language skills
sensory time
Inquiry Table table set up
in classroom based on student interest.
promotes inquiry, selfinitiated writing, exploration
various books that support student interests
markers, paper, pencils, crayons to promote writing
other items to make provocation appealing
inferencing skills from reading texts
authentic writing task
exploratory learning
printing practice
Salt Writing students use
fingers to write words or letters in salt
rich texts letter tiles cookie trays salt sight word
list for reference
sensory building
letter and words
play with blends and sounds
Alphabet Soup students
play with water and letters to create and sort words and letters
soup pot ladel letter tiles
and/or word tiles
sorting bowls (blends, vowel sounds)
sensory building
letter and words
play with blends and sounds
Letter Writing students are
inspired to write letters to friends, teachers, staff members and family
books that model letter writing
paper pencils,
markers stencils sight word
list letter tiles
building letter and words
play with blends and sounds
printing practice
Word Rubbing students
create words by making letter rubbings
letter rubbings (create with Crayola 3D glue, cardboard)
paper crayons paper to
paste onto
building letter and words
play with blends and sounds
Lego Letter Build students
create letters using lego
lego alphabet list
building letters
Letter/Word Sensory Bin
students play with a bucket of items designed around a letter (could be encouraged to create a list of items starting with that letter
small bin objects
starting with same letter (P = pumpkin seeds, word pumpkin, pine cones, porcupine)
paper pencils,
markers
sensory building
letter and words
play with blends and sounds
after allowed time to explore)
Letter Collage students use
different letters to create an artinspired letter or word collage
paper letters books paper glue
building letter and words
exploring letters
Recommended
