Lessons in Early Literacy

As a former middle school ELA teacher, I loved developing the critical thinking and analysis skills of reading, the sophistication of expanding voice and depth in writing, the development of integrated communication skills, often taking for granted the complex work of early literacy learning.  After all, students came to me understanding (for the most part) how to construct words, sentences, and paragraphs.  They came to me with decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills.  My job was to build upon that foundation...but I spent way too little time understanding the construction of those skills.  When I reflect upon that former 8th grade teacher, I wonder how much better I could have been if I understood all the parts that build the whole of a highly literate student.

Kindergarten:

Small group instruction in writing - translating spoken language into print

Small group instruction in reading - fluency practice
A fist pump for a job well done!

Running records...of the 100 words read, teachers gauge accuracy for instructional advancement.

Multi-sensory supports for letter recognition and word construction 

Building word families

Helping Dr. Morgan spell cow

Partner reading - evaluating recipes 

Students with stamina - spending 20 minutes on each reading task while teachers provide small group instruction

Merging writing with social studies as students build a teddy bear city

Students reading aloud

 First Grade:

Using Post-it notes to identify important parts of the story

Running records - recording student accuracy while reading aloud

Students write riddles for their peers to solve

 Third Grade:

"Three Tabby Cats" adapted from Three Billy Goats Gruff, a student-created story complete with editing