Alphabetization Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RF.2.3

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

We often take from granted how much time we save by having order to things. Having order to things allows us to quickly retrieve the things we are seeking. When it comes to anything written in letter or word form, alphabetization gives us this sense of order. In the English language we attribute the letter “A” as having the least value and the letter “Z”. The worksheets in this collection give students some needed practice in alphabetizing words and letters.

Alphabetization Worksheets To Print:

Animal Alphabetization – Alphabetize the three animals that we give you.

Same Letter Alphabetization – The starting letter is the same in all accounts.

Alphabetical Wish Lists – Each student got a chance to dream BIG.

Alphabetizing Phrases – We transition from single words to two word phrases.

Organizing the Library – Get this list in order for the people there.

Alphabetized Groceries – The new grocery store has all the items arranged in alphabetical order to make it easier to find what you need.

Why did the ant cross the road? – Rewrite each group of letters in alphabetical order.

Organizing Words – Sort the words by first letter and write them in the boxes.

Rainbow and Alphabetical Order – Sort the colors by rainbow order and color the spectrum to match.

Alliterative Alphabetizing – Rewrite these words in alphabetical order.

"Le" Alphabetization – How do you alphabetize words that start with the same letter or letter combinations?

Organizing Edna's Closet – Help Edna organize her closet by rewriting each word and phrase in alphabetical order.

Create an Alphabetized Seating Chart – Rewrite the names alphabetically by first name in the template below to create an alphabetized seating chart.

Patient Files – Imagine you work in a doctor's office. You have two different filing systems.

Create Your Own Dictionary – Write down 10 words and their definitions.

What Is the Best Way to Approach Teaching Alphabetization Skills?

We often like to arrange a six step approach to help students master this skill. The first step is to immerse students in the alphabet itself under they can recite forwards and back. After teaching for over twenty years, I have seen my colleagues use many different methods to achieve this. Some teachers have a strong affinity to using ABC books that attach each letter to an object or animal that all children are familiar with. Many classes play the ABC clothespin game where they start by pinning the letters in order and then everyday arrive at a disorganized alphabet that they, as a class, must give order to. Many teachers also prefer sing-alongs where students sing the ABC song. Believe me; I have heard over ten different versions of this song. No matter how students best grasp the alphabet, this is the first hurdle we must pass to be able to alphabetize anything.


The next step in the progression is to put misarranged letters in order. This is best done by using flashcards or letter cards that contain all letters of the alphabet. As students have success, remove some letters and have them proceed again. Once this skill is mastered we can move on to arranging words by the first letter of the word. I would use the method that worked best for them with letters here. I would also suggest having the students highlight the first letter of the word either in bold print or simply by circling that letter.


The advanced phase of learning this skill has students sort words that contain the same first letter, but different second letter. When they have achieved a good level of proficiency with that move on to words that have the same starting two letters and let them alphabetize by the third letter. Then move on to the fourth letter alphabetizing and so on. This also advances them to the next step of alphabetizing words that contain surnames. They will have to learn to ignore the article that they are presented with. The final step is to have them alphabetize phrases that have the same first word, second word, and so on. Once students have a solid grasp of this, they have reached a mastery level with this skill.