Alphabet Smash Book Cover Poll

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I am writing a Pre-school/Kindergarten curriculum called Alphabet Smash. After months of researching and getting it together, I am now deciding on a cover and would very much appreciate input, especially homeschool teacher’s input as that is who I believe the book will inspire most.

I put this curriculum together as I homeschooled all 3 of my girls, improving it along the way. The 2 covers I am considering will not look exactly like these pictures below as the images on and around the boys will change.  For example, the E=MC2 will say John 3:16 in a similar font.  The items surrounding the children will be more of a focus on Christianity, art, music, and a little less of science and math.  It will also be more pre-school/kindergarten appropriate so keep that in mind when you are choosing which one you like best.

What is Alphabet Smash?

Cupcakes, Christopher Columbus, Compassion, and Crocodiles. What do all of these have in common? The letter C along with caboodles of other things—and the way that Alphabet Smash introduces your child to the letters of the alphabet and other endless fascinating wonders of the world.

Alphabet Smash is an easy step by step guide written for teachers to share and celebrate with children the many wonders God has blessed us with alphabetically.  It provides a smorgasbord of opportunities and ideas for children to learn the alphabet. Designed as a 26 week curriculum, it can be used as a supplement or as a stand alone curriculum for children ages 3 to 7. By incorporating a letter of the week into all aspects of daily activities, children are able to consistently learn the letters and their sounds in everything they do in real life– including eating, errands, and entertainment. 

How does it work? Every lesson covers one letter of the alphabet beginning with the letter A and continuing on through Z, for 26 weeks. Each week your child will focus on a letter of the alphabet, learning its sound, and how to write it. Then the instructor may choose from a variety of options that integrate the letter with academics and the arts.  Lessons provide suggested activities in over a dozen main categories with symbols, to help you find what you are looking for quickly.

Topics include:

• Art
• Bible
• Books
• Food
• Field trips
• Fun Alphabet Activities
• Math
• Music
• Movies
• Poetry
• Science
• Social Studies

For every letter the child will do these activities.  It is not intended that every activity be undertaken, but those which appeal to the instructor and the child. She might choose one or two that intrigues the student, another to target one of the teacher’s goals for the child (like Scripture memory), one that is convenient, etc.  The instructor has the freedom to decide to lengthen or shorten any lesson(s) by increasing or decreasing the number of activities to pursue for each letter.

Children will make an Alphabet Smash notebook as a portfolio of their accumulated knowledge and discoveries. As the child completes an activity, learning will be recorded and stored in the child’s Alphabet Smash notebook, providing the child with a keepsake that he/she can proudly share with grandparents and friends.  

Why Alphabet Smash? Because it uses everyday situations to recognize letters, their sounds, and context in life. You have to eat, so why not eat foods that begin with the letter you are studying? As you listen to music, create art, and study character traits, your child will be enforcing the letter of the week and strengthening essential skills.

Who is Alphabet Smash for? Moms, homeschool parents, Sunday School teachers—in short, any teacher looking to present the alphabet to a child/children ages 3-7 using a flexible, fun, and creative approach.

What is ‘smash?’ Smash is adapted from the Smash journal.  Smash is loosely defined as: ‘sticking cool stuff in a book or journal’, similar to a scrapbook.  The Alphabet Book that the child makes includes all the things he discovers and creates for each letter of the alphabet.  The freedom lies in you and your child doing a little or utilizing as many ideas as you consider.

Let the Alphabet Smash begin!

Below are 2 pictures that I am considering.

The items surrounding the children will be more of a focus on Christianity, art, music, and a little less of science and math so keep that in mind when you are choosing which one you like best.

Choice #1

Choice #2

Please leave choice #1 or #2 in the comments.

Remember, the content around the boys will not be the same.  So basically, I am interested in whether you over all think the the boy reading or the boy blowing bubbles is a better fit for the book after reading the information about Alphabet Smash above.  And which one is more aesthetically pleasing?

Writing this book has been an incredible journey.  I have learned a great deal about publishing, courage, myself, and being vulnerable to the process. Know that I truly do appreciate and value your opinion.  Thank you for taking the time to give it.