Research on the efficacy of digital books supporting literacy development for young children is overwhelmingly positive for children with and without disabilities. Electronic books can support literacy development in the areas of phonological awareness skills, alphabetic knowledge, and vocabulary development (Salmon, 2013). Research Even with the knowledge of benefits children derive from electronic books, the… Read More eBooks Can Improve Phonological Awareness Skills, Alphabetic Knowledge, and Vocabulary
Meaningful Writing Prompts
Now that you are ready to teach writing skills and your students have the necessary means to write, what comes next? Richard Allington (2012) reminds us that students should be given opportunities to write about something personally meaningful every day. Let’s examine some great ideas for writing prompts that will be meaningful and interesting to… Read More Meaningful Writing Prompts
The Choice is Theirs: Allowing Students to Select Texts
Self-Selected Reading involves much more than just allowing students to quietly flip through books. You can use this time to expose students to a variety of text types and genres that they might not otherwise encounter. This could be the first step toward a lifelong love of reading. Research Comprehensive literacy instruction in your… Read More The Choice is Theirs: Allowing Students to Select Texts
Encouraging Writing in Early Childhood
One approach that is simple to implement and inclusive of children with and without disabilities is called Big Paper. Big Paper involves seating small groups of children around a large piece of bulletin board or butcher paper that is placed across a table or on the floor. Research Learning to write is a complex… Read More Encouraging Writing in Early Childhood
Writing Opportunities: Finding Your Student’s Pencil
Before a student can become a successful writer, we must first find his ideal pencil. Many teachers make the assumption that a student without the physical ability to hold and manipulate a writing utensil is not ready for writing instruction. Many students are able to use a writing utensil such as a pencil, pen, crayon,… Read More Writing Opportunities: Finding Your Student’s Pencil
Let’s Get Published!
When students know that their writing matters, they are more likely to produce better writing samples. Perhaps the best way to let students know that their writing is important is to have them publish! Publishing can be a class experience that creates excitement and can build confidence in writers. Confident writers will want to write… Read More Let’s Get Published!
Free Resources to Support Early Literacy Development
Learn more about embedding literacy instruction into your classroom routine and activities through the following online learning opportunities. Each webinar or module is free and can be accessed at your convenience, making it easy to complete at your own pace and providing a great way to learn more about topics that interest you. Research… Read More Free Resources to Support Early Literacy Development