Fall is almost upon us, which mean apple season will be here soon. If you love teaching a preschool apple theme, these printable apple ABCs will be the perfect addition to your plans.
Related: Free Preschool Printables
I don’t know about you, but I rather enjoy a good apple. Some people think they’re the most boring snack ever, but I disagree. Especially if it’s a Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious. Yum!
In fact, I might have to try these apple “cookies” from Rachel Schultz the next time I have a hankering for an apple.
Most children have been exposed to apples at some point, which is one of the reasons it’s a fun fall theme to explore with the kids. Take something they know and expand their knowledge about it!
Let’s take a look at a simple but engaging printable to add to your next lesson about apples.
Printable Apple ABCs
As with most of the preschool printables I create, these apple alphabet cards can be used in a variety of ways.
I love to use printables like this as a way to supplement preschool themes and incorporate hands-on learning.
You can grab your own set of apple letter cards at the very bottom of this post.
Related: Free Apple Printable Numbers
Materials
Apple ABCs
Dry erase pockets or laminator
Manipulatives or loose parts (like mini erasers)
Dry erase markers (optional)
Prepping the Apple Alphabet Cards
Print out the apple ABCs you’d like to use with your students.
Depending on the needs of the children, you might want to start with just a few letters. If that’s the case, I highly suggest starting with the letters in the kids’ names.
Once the letter cards have been printed, cut them apart into individual cards. They come with two cards printed per page.
Then it’s time to make sure they can stand up to use by small hands. This way, one set can last you for quite some time!
For this, laminate each of the cards. You can also place them in dry erase pockets. It just depends on your preference and the materials you already have on-hand.
Finally, decide on the manipulatives you’d like to use with the letter cards.
Apple mini erasers, acrylic apples, loose parts (like glass gems or small stones), or math manipulatives would pair well with the apple ABCs.
The children can also use dry erase markers with the cards.
How to Use the Apple ABCs with Preschoolers
As I mentioned previously, you can use the alphabet cards in multiple ways.
Below you’ll find some suggestions to get you started. Keep in mind, this isn’t an exhaustive list. You might find a few other ways to use the printables. Or your students might!
With Manipulatives
Grab the apple ABCs and your favorite manipulatives. If they’re apple-themed, that’s great! But they don’t have to be.
I have to admit, I made these specifically to use with some apple mini erasers I have. Because they’re fun.
They’d be great with acrylic apples, glass gems, small rocks, twigs, Unifix cubes, counting bears . . . and on and on. Really the choices are endless.
Have the children use the manipulatives to trace over the uppercase and lowercase letters on the card.
Be sure to encourage the appropriate letter formation when possible, explaining and modeling as needed.
To add some math to the activity, have the children count how many manipulatives were needed for the uppercase letter versus the lowercase letter.
Paired with Play Dough
You can also use the printable apple letter mats with play dough. Bonus points if it’s apple-scented.
The children can roll the play dough into little “snakes” and then use the snakes to form the letters.
Of course, the kids might also just grab little bits of play dough to squish inside the letters. That works too.
To extend the activity, you can encourage the children to create their own play dough letters on a separate mat.
Related: Harvest Play Dough Recipe
Trace with Markers
If your students are ready for it, they can also use dry erase markers to trace over the apple ABCs.
Again, you’ll want to encourage correct letter formation when possible.
Use as Sorting Mats
Finally, consider using the printable apple letters as ABC sorting mats.
You can challenge the children to find things around the classroom that begin with each letter. Or consider adding a tub with small toys that pair with each letter of the alphabet.
You can also have a basket of magnetic letters (or other alphabet manipulatives) on the table with various letter cards spread about. The kids can sort the letters to the appropriate letter mats.
Apple Books for Preschoolers
Of course, I can’t talk about an apple theme activity without touching on books.
Consider pairing the apple ABCs with some of these apple books for kids.
Do you have a favorite? I’m always on the lookout for new book ideas.
Done-For-You Apple Resources
Let Preschool Teacher 101 make your teaching life A LOT easier with done-for-you resources.
Click on the images below for more information.
Remember you can save big by becoming a member of The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101. Join our waiting list and be the first to hear when doors open for enrollment next.
Apple ABCs Free Printable
As promised, here’s where you can grab your own copy of the apple ABCs!
The printable is available to members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. If you’re already a member, fill out the form below to get access to the printable letter cards. Don’t worry, you won’t be added to the list twice!
If you’re not a member yet, we’d love for you to join us! Fill out the form below to be added to the email community (as I said, it’s free!). You’ll get the apple ABCs as a welcome gift.
VERY IMPORTANT – When you get access to the cards, save them to your computer. Be sure to open them in the most up-to-date version of Adobe Acrobat. You might run into printing issues if printing from the web browser or a different PDF program.
I hope you have a blast using these cards with your students. Be sure to let me know if you give them a try.
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