Macmillan Education Australia 2012

Alpha ladder



The Alpha ladder is very similar to the A to Z chart but contains more than one
category. It can be completed individually or in groups. This strategy helps learners
consolidate an activity or topic in a structured way and can be used as a resource that
is a ready reference for the topic. Like the A to Z chart, students brainstorm and
research words, concepts and terminology associated with a topic that begins with
each different letter of the alphabet. Responses are recorded next to each
corresponding letter. In the second or third column, students can write sentences
correctly using the word, record examples or evidence, or write its antonym.

You may choose to allow students to consult dictionaries, glossaries and other
reference materials. EAL/D (English additional language or dialect) students might find
it useful to turn their Alpha ladder into a bilingual glossary.
Topic: Date: Name:

Alpha ladder (Sentence correctly using the word)
Topic/Ideas/Issue:
Word and meaning Sentence correctly using the word
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
Topic: Date: Name:

Word and meaning Sentence correctly using the word
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z



Topic: Date: Name:

Alpha ladder (details/extra information)
Topic/Ideas/Issue:
Response Details/extra information
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
Topic: Date: Name:

Response Details/extra information
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z



Topic: Date: Name:

Alpha ladder (example/evidence)
Topic/Ideas/Issue:
Term Meaning Example/Evidence
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
Topic: Date: Name:

Term Meaning Example/Evidence
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z



Topic: Date: Name:

Alpha ladder (Antonym)
Topic/Ideas/Issue:
Word and meaning Antonym
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
Topic: Date: Name:

Word and meaning Antonym
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z