Materials List:
– Faux or paper leaves with the alphabet written on them
– Letter mat with the alphabet written on it

Preschool Learning Objectives:
– Recognize and name letters of the alphabet
– Practice gross motor skills by moving around the room to find leaves
– Match uppercase and lowercase letters

Preschool Teacher Instructions:
1. Before the activity, hide the leaves with letters on them around the room. Be sure to place them in different locations that require children to move in different ways such as crouching, crawling, reaching high, or jumping.
2. Place the letter mat in a central location for children to place the leaves on.
3. Gather the children and explain the activity. Encourage them to search for the leaves with letters on them and match them to the corresponding letter on the mat.
4. Provide guidance and support as needed. Encourage children to say the letter out loud as they find and match them.
5. Encourage children to continue until all the leaves have been found and matched to the correct letter on the mat.
6. After the activity, discuss the letters with the children and review any that may have been more challenging.
7. Provide positive reinforcement and praise for their efforts.

Teacher Tips for Differentiated Instruction:
– For children who are struggling to match the letters, provide verbal hints or demonstrate how to find the matching letter on the mat.
– For children who are finding the activity too easy, challenge them by asking them to find the letters in alphabetical order or to find letters that make specific sounds.

Assessment Suggestions:
– Observe children as they participate in the activity to see if they are able to recognize and match the letters correctly.
– Take note of any letters that children consistently struggle with for future practice.
– Have one-on-one conversations with children to assess their letter recognition skills and understanding of matching uppercase and lowercase letters.