Multimodal Big 6: 30 AI-powered activity ideas for early literacy skills

How to use this chart

  1. Read the short activity idea in a square.
  2. Select the text in that square to open one pre-filled CRISP builder for that exact activity.
  3. Review the filled-in fields, then copy the prompt from the builder into your AI tool.

Activity grid

Linguistic/Alphabetic
Visual
Audio
Gestural
Spatial
Oral Language
Build speaking and listening prompts.
Use pictures for partner talk.
Model oral language with recordings.
Pair talk with motions and role-play.
Use talk maps and discussion spots.
Vocabulary
Make word cards and sentences.
Show words with pictures.
Teach words with chants or songs.
Use motions for new words.
Build simple word webs.
Phonics
Write simple decodable text.
Make color-coded sound posters.
Read letter sounds aloud.
Trace letters with hand motions.
Show letter strokes with arrows.
Phonological Awareness
Make rhyme pairs for blending.
Make picture rhyme cards.
Record rhyme and sound games.
Add a movement to each sound.
Arrange sound cards in order.
Fluency
Write short rereading passages.
Show reading growth on charts.
Model smooth reading aloud.
Match gestures to expression.
Mark pauses on the page.
Comprehension
Ask story questions and retells.
Show story order with pictures.
Model think-aloud reading.
Act out story events.
Map plot, setting, and characters.

Suggested tools by modality

These tools can help you build or adapt activities in each modality. Pick tools that fit your students, device access, and privacy requirements.

Indicators show whether a tool is free or free with paid upgrades, and whether it is usually best for teacher use or can be student-safe with teacher setup.

Linguistic/Alphabetic

  • CRISP BuilderFreeTeacher usePlan and refine prompts before pasting them into an AI tool.
  • ClaudeFree + paidTeacher useDraft passages, sentence frames, word lists, and teacher directions.
  • GeminiFree + paidTeacher useGenerate decodable text, comprehension questions, and vocabulary supports.

Visual

  • CanvaFree + paidTeacher useCreate cards, posters, charts, and picture supports for literacy lessons.
  • Adobe ExpressFree + paidTeacher useBuild quick graphics, story sequence images, and classroom visuals.
  • Microsoft DesignerFree + paidTeacher useGenerate simple image-based materials from short prompts.

Audio

  • ElevenLabsFree + paidTeacher useCreate model read-alouds, pronunciation examples, or short listening scripts.
  • NotebookLMFreeTeacher useTurn notes into spoken summaries or audio-style explanations.
  • AudacityFreeStudent-safeRecord and edit teacher-made audio for fluency and phonemic practice.

Gestural

  • FlipFreeStudent-safeRecord and share movement-based modeling, retells, or gesture responses.
  • LoomFree + paidTeacher useCreate short teacher demonstrations that show motions, tracking, or acting.
  • SeesawFree + paidStudent-safeCapture student responses that combine movement, voice, and reflection.

Spatial

  • Google SlidesFreeStudent-safeLay out sequence cards, story maps, and drag-and-drop practice tasks.
  • PadletFree + paidStudent-safeOrganize ideas on boards, maps, and columns for sorting and sequencing.
  • MiroFree + paidTeacher useBuild digital organizers, word webs, and movement pathways on a shared canvas.

Before classroom use, review each tool for age requirements, accessibility features, district privacy policies, and whether your local setup is appropriate for students.

Implementation tips

  • Start with one or two combinations each week instead of trying to use the full chart at once.
  • Review every AI output before using it so the wording, examples, and length fit your students.
  • Rotate across the five modalities so students practice literacy in more than one way.
  • Keep a short list of prompts that worked well so you can revise and reuse them later.

Based on NYS Science of Reading Briefs and a multimodal literacies framework. Created for K-1 educators.