Kindergarten Students Explore Letters at Literacy Palooza

On Thursday, November 7, Taipei American School’s Kindergarten classrooms were buzzing with excitement as students participated in Literacy Palooza, an event dedicated to bringing literacy to life. Over the course of the morning, students moved through a variety of interactive stations focused on letter name and sound recognition, inspiring curiosity and confidence in equal measure as they explored the building blocks of language. 

The activities took place throughout the Kindergarten classrooms and the Kindergarten Cave. Each station offered a playful, hands-on way to connect with letters and sounds—from alphabet scavenger hunts to matching games and group challenges. These activities were designed to encourage both independent exploration and teamwork, allowing students to experience learning as an adventure. 

“It’s inspiring to see our youngest learners connecting with letters in a way that feels natural and fun for them,” said Ms. Denise Bord, Lower School Literacy Coach. “Literacy Palooza is about giving students the tools to explore language and build early reading skills with confidence.” 

One highlight of the day was the alphabet scavenger hunt, where students used flashlights to search for hidden letters in a darkened classroom, giggling and cheering each time they made a discovery. In the Kindergarten Cave, groups of students worked together on sound-matching games, listening carefully to recognize beginning sounds and finding the letters to match. These playful activities provided essential practice in phonics, a foundational skill in reading development. 

Ms. Bord emphasized the importance of these early experiences: “By engaging in these playful activities, students aren’t just learning letter sounds—they’re developing a love for learning that we hope will last a lifetime.” 

The Literacy Palooza stations were thoughtfully planned by Kindergarten teachers, who were thrilled to see their students’ enthusiasm. “Watching students light up as they connected sounds to letters was the best part of the day,” shared Ms. Peters, our Kindergarten teacher. “They were fully engaged, and it was amazing to see them build their skills with such excitement.” 

Through classroom games and adventures, Literacy Palooza highlighted the joy of discovery and learning through play. By the end of the event, students left with new skills, proud smiles, and a sense of accomplishment that will support their reading and writing journey for years to come.