Early Literacy

Following on the heels of our Read Across America Celebration, we have noticed an uptick in the amount of time spent "writing" and "reading"  in our classroom.

 Our teaching and classroom style allows the children to explore their literacy skills at their own pace and interest level. We promote a positive attitude about the explorations that are taking place by making sure to take the time to listen when a child wants to read a book, or help with writing letters when we're asked. We have space for the children to save their work and bring it home, and we write books together in the classroom as projects. There are informal and formal ways to share books and stories every day.  

Here are some of the ways that we promote and celebrate literacy in our classroom:

Each child in the classroom is given the opportunity to dictate and illustrate a message to share with the class at morning meeting. During morning meeting, we read the message and the author answers questions about their work. 

 Our marker and paper table is open every day for the children as a choice. The alphabet is posted nearby, and there is a stapler for pages to be combined into a book, if desired. The paper projects that happen at this table are driven by the child's own interest and desires.

 After lunch, there are journals and scented markers for writing and drawing. Quite a few of the children have already filled up their journals!

We often see collaboration and cooperation among the children at the marker table as  something that one child has written or cut out is copied by another child. This copying is an important component of learning at the early level.  Learning from peers is a strong way to enhance our skill set!

Our art projects are often inspired by literature, especially this week. We worked on painting/drawing a picture of our favorite animal, and dictated why; this project was inspired by an Eric Carle book My Favorite Animal, a collection of pictures and stories by some of our favorite picture book authors. We have also created pages for another book, based on Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear book. While we colored our pictures, we had fun with repeating the words "What do you see?!" 

Our dramatic play corner has plenty of cookbooks with beautiful pictures to look at. 

 There is a writing table with pencils and crayons and stapled books, together with maps, pamphlets, and ephemera for the children to handle and explore.

And, finally, we offer space for the children to choose books and read at any time during the morning, as well as our formal times of reading together. 

We promote a love of literature and the written word, as well as offering the children the opportunity to experience the joy of communicating their stories and ideas in a way that is lasting and enjoyed by their audience. 

Until Next Time,

Michele