Fall has officially begun and that means that we’re busting out the apple activities!
These beginning sound apple tree sorting mats make a fantastic fall themed literacy center if you’re using them in the classroom or a great practice activity for your kindergartner or first grader if you’re using them at home.
Initial Sound Alphabet Apple Sort
This 36-page printable set includes 26 full page tree mats, one for every letter of the alphabet, for your child to sort their apple onto.
The final 10 pages contain apples with images covering beginning sounds for all 26 letters.
Almost all of the letters have three different apples for your child to find and sort. The only exceptions to this are the letters X and Z. They each have two apples that contain those beginning sounds.
Prepping the Alphabet Apple Sort
Simply print out the pages and laminate the apple tree mats. No cutting necessary.
The apples, however, will require the use of your scissors.
Once those are cut, laminate them as well and you’re good to go!
Using the Alphabet Apple Sort
Have your child pick an apple tree and name the letter that is on the mat that they chose.
Once they’ve picked and named their letter, spread out the apples and let them pick the ones that match that beginning sound and belong on their tree.
If your child is younger and just learning their letters sounds or is struggling with them, try starting out with just a few letters at a time to avoid overwhelming them with all of the mats and apples at once.
Not ready for the fun to end? Try extending the activity by changing things up!
Place a few small baskets around the room with letters on them and have your child sort their apples into the correct beginning sound basket after finding the right one or pair them with our printable Apple Sight Word Matching Game for tons of fun early literacy practice!