Today’s Kindergarten program is a fine balance of discovery, exploratory play and explicit teaching. This special session for Kindergarten teachers will look at what Kindergarten children need to know about literacy – and how best to teach them. We’ll discuss oral language development – the foundation of literacy – and ideas for reading to, with and by children, as well as skill development in a joyful learning environment.
WRITE FROM THE START
For many of our youngest learners, writing develops more easily and naturally than reading. In this session, we’ll look at developmentally appropriate writing instruction through modeled, shared and interactive writing. You’ll pick up ideas like bubble-gum writing, sticky dot details and overcoming the hurdle of “I don’t know how to write.” You leave with many tips for integrating writing into all aspects of the Kindergarten day, including helping children document their own learning during projects and play.
FLOATING ON A SEA OF TALK
It has been said that literacy floats on a sea of talk. From their earliest years, our children learn words and how they go together in order to think, to interact with others and to begin to read and write. This presentation will focus on the ways that play supports oral language development and how educators and caregivers can support and scaffold that development. We’ll also talk about ways to build children’s vocabulary, both through incidental experiences and planned instructional events such as read-alouds and word games.
SHARED AND GUIDED READING: LEARNING TO READ BY READING
Read-aloud, shared reading, guided reading and independent reading: each component serves its own unique purpose in the guided release of responsibility. This session will focus on the “WE DO” of reading instruction: shared and guided reading. These routines are the opportunity for students to practice reading with support, gradually increasing difficulty and building independence. We’ll share ideas for a weekly shared routine and planning small group reading routines for emergent and early readers.