Photo credit: One Direction on Sesame Street
Here are some of my favorite songs for teaching students about the names of the letters in the English alphabet:
ABC-DEF-GHI Song by Big Bird (This is a funny song that points out that students can have misconceptions whenever they attempt to learn something new). This song does show how the alphabet is used, after Big Bird finishes singing.
The Alphabet with Elmo and India Arie
Usher’s ABC song on Sesame Street.
The Alphabet by Patti Labelle
Celebrities Sing the Alphabet featuring Ray Charles
Soul Alphabet by Ruben Studdard
ABC Hip Hop by Miles
Boogie Woogie Piggies Alphabet
Alphabet Song Remix on Sesame Street
Letter of the Day A-J with Elmo
Letter of the Day K-Z with Elmo
Here are some songs that teach students about the importance of each letter:
B is for Book by Pharrell Williams (This is less about the letter “b” and more about traveling with your imagination, by reading books)
No Letter Better by the Dixie Chicks (featuring the letter “b”)
The Letter B by B. B. King
C is for Cookie with Cookie Monster
C is for Cookie by Marilyn Horne
Dance on Sesame Street
E Eats Everything by They Might Be Giants
Soak Up The Sun by Sheryl Crow (featuring the letter “i”)
I is for Instruments by Little Big Town
What Words Begin With M? on Sesame Street
The Letter O by Queen Latifah
S is for Song by Sia (I like that Sia uses sign language too, as she sings this song)
What Makes U Useful by One Direction
U Really Got a Hold on Me by Smokey Robinson (My daughter laughs out loud to this one)
Don’t Know Y by Nora Jones
Here is a song that teaches students about the shapes of letters.
Letter Shapes by They Might Be Giants (This can be nice to check if students can tell you the name or sounds of letters)
Alphabet Lost and Found by They Might Be Giants (staring Marty Beller)