Exposing students to the written word is a key component to
promoting literacy at a young age.
Unfortunately, many children are not
introduced to a widely varied vocabulary at home in either verbal or written
format. Therefore, it is incredibly
important that teachers make use of every opportunity to introduce children to
words in a variety of fashions.
A great
place to start is by creating an engaging print-rich classroom.
What are some ways to create a literacy rich classroom?
PROVIDE A CLASSROOM LIBRARY
Create an accessible library in your classroom. Remind students that a
library can be a valuable tool for learning and it can be fun!
Include an assortment of text types. Include reference materials, non-fiction resources as well as a variety of high interest fiction books. Have books available for several reading levels. You don't want your struggling readers to get frustrated and give up, nor do you want your advanced readers to become easily bored.
CREATE A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO READ
You can go all out creating themed reading areas or you can keep it simple. Either way, let's be real, who can get comfortable reading in a hard little plastic straight backed chair? That's right, nobody. If you want your students to want to read, give them an inviting area in which to do it. If you're on a budget start off with a colorful area rug to define the reading space. Add some mats, floor pillows or bean bag chairs and you are off to a great start.
ENSURE AN ENGAGING PLACE TO WRITE
Some ideas to get the creative writing process started:
- Set up a mini "crime scene" with toys/dolls and tell students to infer what took place. Write a short story with lots of details.
- Display pictures that are unusual or interesting looking and ask students to describe what is going on in them.
- Provide a selection of brochures to destinations like Disney World, Museum of Science and Industry, Aquariums, etc. Students' task is to write a persuasive letter to parents convincing them why they should be taken there.
- Provide an assortment of writing prompt task cards on many topics. Allow students to pick one that interests them.
- Use Roll-a-Story cards to set up the characters, setting and conflict in a short story and let your students' creative minds fill in the details (see example).
USE ANCHOR CHARTS
Use anchor charts instead of writing all sorts of new material that you are presenting on a white board, where it will soon be erased. An anchor chart is simply a large piece of display paper where you provide information. For example, when teaching about idioms, create an anchor chart giving specific examples of idioms commonly used. If you are creative, draw in some pictures to accompany the examples. The most important thing is to leave the anchor charts posted so that students can refer back to them at a later date for reinforcement.
INCORPORATE WORD WALLS
Your word walls can include vocabulary that students are expected to know at grade level, test prep words, words specific to a unit of study or just new words encountered when reading. The important thing is for students not to just read a word once, define it and forget it. Repeat exposure is key. Read the word, discuss it, display it and remember it!
Happy Teaching!
