Early Literacy:
A Resource for Teachers
Saskatchewan Education February 2000
Table of Contents
(includes selected charts and forms)
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Overview of Resource
Chart: Developmental Differences Between Children in the Emerging Phase
Chart: Foundations of Early Literacy Development
Developmental Continuum
Suggestions for Use
Summary of Essential Practices
Chart: 10 Essential Practices and Related Strategies
Chart: Building Confidence and Capability
Chapter One: Supporting Oral Language Development
Assessment of Oral Language Abilities
Observing Children's Social Communication
Chart: Language Categories for use with Assessment Checklists and Forms
Sample Checklist/Form: Sample Checklist for Observing Children's Social Communication
Recording Children's Language Use and Communicative Behaviours
Sample Checklist/Form: Sample Form for Recording Children's Language Use and Communicative Behaviours
Repeat my Sentence
Sample Checklist/Form: Sample Assessment Form for Repeat My Sentence
Strategies and Activities
Supporting Oral Language Development within Structured Play
Supported Role Play for Social Problem Solving
Speaking and Listening Opportunities in Creative and Collaborative Work
Language Experience Approach
Class Meeting/Group Time Activities
Chapter Two: Enjoying Literature and Learning from Books
Assessment Tools and Techniques
Retelling
Sample Checklist/Form: Sample Checklist for Assessing Retelling in the Emerging Phase
Assessment of Interest in, and Enjoyment of, Books/Reading
Sample Checklist/Form: Sample Checklist for Assessing Interest in, and Enjoyment of, Books
Strategies and Activities
Reading for Enjoyment
Chart: Choosing Fiction Books for Reading Aloud
Reading to Children Daily
Chart: Choosing Nonfiction Books for Young Children
Enlisting Other Adults and Older Students to Read to Small Groups of Students
Chart: Reading to Children in the Emerging Phase of Literacy
Book Browsing
Responding to Literature
Read, Talk, Act, Draw, Write
Retelling as an Instructional Strategy
Learning from Books
Using Big Books and Predictable Books to Develop Concepts of Print
Walk the Sentences
Using Big Books to Develop Basic Book Knowledge
Chapter Three: Learning About Sounds and Letters
Assessment Tools and Techniques
Phonemic Awareness
Sample Checklist/Form: Phonemic Awareness
Letter Recognition, Letter Formation, and Letter-sound Knowledge
Sample Checklist/Form: Sample Multi-use Diagnostic Assessment Form for Letter-sound Knowledge
Strategies and Activities
General Listening Activities
Sound Walks
"Which Sound Did You Hear First?"
"What's My Pattern?"
Phonemic Awareness Activities
Exploring Sound Patterns
Count the Words
Clapping Syllables
Oral Word Segmentation and Blending Activities
Representing Phonemes with Concrete Materials
"Say that Word Again but Don't Say___"
Letter Recognition and Letter Naming Activities
Chart: Developmentally Appropriate Ways to Support the Development of Visual Discrimination in Young Children
"What's in a Name?"
Guess My Letter
Graphophonic Strategies and Activities
Ways to Use the "Alphabet Song"
One-letter Books
Sensory Exploration of Letters
Using Alphabet Books
"Who has this Letter in their Name?"
Making Words
ABC and Word Study Center
Action Words for the Consonants
Chapter Four: Supporting Independence in Reading and Writing
Assessment Tools and Techniques
Reading and Writing Interview for Emerging Literacy Learners
Sample Checklist/Form: Reading and Writing Interview for Emerging Literacy Learners
Assessment of Bank of Sight Words and Spelling Patterns
Strategies and Activities
Supporting Children in Viewing Themselves as Readers and Writers
Incorporating Literacy into Social Dramatic Play
Chart: Literacy Materials for Social Dramatic Play Centers
Supporting Fluency Through Developing a Bank of Sight Words
Using Onsets and Rimes
Word Wall
Frequently Used Words
Chart: Frequently Used Words
Other Strategies for Developing a Bank of Sight Words
Integrating Use of Cueing Systems into Daily Reading Activities
Chart: Knowledge of Cueing Systems
Chart: Other Problem-solving Strategies
Visual Aids for Remembering Problem-solving Strategies
Teacher Demonstrations of Reading Strategies
Morning Message
Shared Reading
Chart: Questions to Ask when Reading or Rereading Books or Charts during Shared Reading
Guided and Independent Reading
Mentor-supported Literacy Development
Chart: Ideas for Literacy Mentors
Read Around the Room
Mini-units Using Predictable Books
Chart: A Sample Week of Predictable Book Activities
Supporting Independent Writing
Writing Samples
Daily Writing
Other Activities that Support Writing Development
Interactive Writing
Conclusion: A Matter of Balance
Appendix: Resources to Support Early Literacy Development of Children with Special Needs
References and Selected Bibliography
