If you haven’t yet, be sure to visit this original blog post https://blogs.iu.edu/earlyliteracy/ which shared 6 evidence-based foundational equitable principles for supporting diverse learners. Implementing these principles into your classroom provides all children equitable educational opportunities. UDL and You! Every teacher knows and appreciates how complicated and diverse our young learners are. It can be overwhelming… Read more »
Tag: Early Literacy
The Foundation of Equitable Literacy Instruction
What is equitable literacy instruction? Equitable literacy instruction is comprised of instructional practices that support all children to achieve high outcomes regardless of ability, race, or any other marginalized identity. Our extensive literature review identified 6 equitable foundational principles that provide the necessary classroom infrastructure for implementing effective equitable literacy instruction in Preschool to 3rd… Read more »
Independent Reading in Preschool: More than Just words
Independent reading can be defined as “reading children choose to do on their own. It reflects the reader’s personal choice of the material read as well as the time and place to read it. It is done for information and pleasure” (Cullinan, 2000). While you likely understand the value of independent reading once children are… Read more »
A (Not So) Simple View of Reading?
We know a lot about teaching reading well. I say this (too) frequently in my work as a literacy researcher and teacher educator. We know a lot about teaching reading well. I say it so much because I want the teachers I work with to know that there are scientific ways to help young children become… Read more »
What’s In A Name? Teaching Letter Sight and Sound Recognition Using Children’s Names
Let’s face it, young children are egocentric beings. What better way to support their recognition of letters and letter sounds than to begin with something very important to them- their name! Children possess a wide range of letter-sight and letter-sound identification proficiency, therefore, be sure to differentiate for ability and accommodate individual needs when planning… Read more »
Celebrating African-American Authors and Illustrators
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is quickly approaching (1/17/22) with Black History Month to follow (February 2022). This is a perfect time to introduce children to more amazing African-American authors and illustrators. Did you know that there is an African-American Children’s Book Project? Here are some of the project’s 2021 Best Picture Books. All are … Read more »
Enjoying the Holidays in a Culturally Responsive Way
Celebrating holidays in early childhood settings is not only fun and exciting, it offers additional opportunities to develop children’s early literacy skills by connecting lessons to occasions occurring both in the context of their daily lives and cultures and those around the world. Holiday literacy lessons involve books, dramatic play, drawing/writing, cooking, crafts, games, etc. … Read more »
A Culturally Responsive Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, but did you know that November is also National Native American Heritage month? During this time, be intentional about using terms that value and respect all people and avoid stereotyping by planning lessons and using materials that celebrate Native American heritage and traditions. For example, steer away from creating “Indian headbands”… Read more »
Pretending Can Build Literacy Skills
One of the many joys of being an early childhood educator is watching and developing children’s growing imaginations. Symbolic behavior play is related to the understanding of a representational system like written language and language behavior in dramatic play is related to literate language (Mielonen, Paterson, 2009). Children are also developing their oral language skills… Read more »
Culturally Responsive Literacy – Día de los Muertos
What are you learning about with your students? Fall to Winter in the PreK-3 classroom usually means one thing – holidays. While we know you’re busy picking books, scripting plays, making treats, and coordinating your holiday teacher sweaters, we thought the season was ripe for recommending some fresh ideas for doing holidays inclusively with your young… Read more »