Washington Learning Systems: Literacy Resources: Language is Key

Washington Learning Systems has more literacy resources available to teachers and parents.   Here is the link to Language is Key.  This video talks about language and its connection to learning to read and write. 


 Here is the link to the video: http://www.walearning.com/products/language-is-the-key/

Here is another link to more resources:
Washington Learning Systems: literacy resources

Preschool: A Child Become A Reader (Link and Printable Pdf booklet): Reading Readiness

Below is a link to a very good parent/teacher resource about preparing preschool children with the reading readiness skills needed to learn to read once they are in elementary school.  

The book is designed for children birth to preschool.  Below is a link to the information:

http://lincs.ed.gov/publications/html/parent_guides/birth_to_pre.html

You can also find the actual printable PDF version of the book at:

http://lincs.ed.gov/publications/publications.html 

(Look under 2006 for "A Child Becomes A Reader")

Preschool Language and Literacy: Video Link to How to Interactive Shared Reading

http://www.google.com/

The Best Valentine's Day gift for your child is your time...spending 15-20 minutes a day reading with your child is a gift that will last a life time!  Here is another video to show you how to make story time more interactive with your child or class.  Reading to your child is great, but add in talking to your child during the reading of the story is even greater.  You are your child's first teacher...here are some tools to help you on your journey with your child.


http://dww.ed.gov/media/ECE/PreSchoolLit/IDR/Learn/flashoverview/index.htm

Preschool Language and Literacy: Video Link to How to Teach Phonoglogical Awareness

Here is a link to video that teaches what phonological awareness is and how to teach it to your class or your own children. 


http://dww.ed.gov/media/ECE/PreSchoolLit/PA/Learn/flashoverview/index.htm


I encourage you to watch the video to learn how to help prepare your children for school so they can successfully learn to read once they get there.

Learning Letters and Letter Sounds: Alphabet puzzles

http://www.amazon.com/

Alphabet puzzles are a wonderful toy for children.  Be sure to buy one that has both upper case and lower case letters.  

This type of puzzle is a great one for an adult to do with the child.  

As your child picks up letters to place in the puzzle, talk about the letter and the picture that begins with the later.  Do this each time you do the puzzle together.  

Once your child can tell you almost all the letters, you can start focusing on the sound each letter makes.  Talk about the words that begin with that sound.  Both letters usually have a pictures of an object that begins with the letters sound.  Isolate the sound so your child can hear the letter sound, then say the objects name again.  

For example:  The pictures are of a wagon and watch.  Ask your child what the pictures are of where the W or w would go.  Then say the word wagon...then the "w" sound...ask your child to repeat the sound.  Then say the name of the object again...wagon or watch.  

February is Dental Health Month: Books to Read to Your Child

http://printables.scholastic.com/

February is dental health month!  It's a great time to read books to your child about going to the dentist.  If your child has not been to the dentist, age 3 is a good time to start.  Find a family friendly or pediatric dentist.  They can make your child's dental experience a good one.


Here are some good books to read about dental health:

Show Me Your Smile!: A Visit to the Dentist

The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist

 

 

 

More with Poems: Color Poems

http://www.fotosearch.com/

Poems are fun to read with children.  Here are some color poems to read with your child.  You can even extend the activity by making your own or collecting things in your home that are the color of the poem. 

Point to the words as you read the poem.  By doing this you are modeling what is called "voice to print matching".  This shows your child that every time you move your finger to a new group of letters (actually a word) you say a word; when you are done saying that word you move your finger to a new word.  Children learn that the black squiggly lines, or letters, make up words you can read.

  Here is a poem about the color red:

Red

Red is an apple 

Red is a rose 

Red is the color of 

My frozen, icy nose!

 (poem from: http://www.songs4teachers.com/colorpoems.htm )

Here is one I wrote with my preschooler:

Red

Red is a heart

Red is a strawberry

Red is the color of

the stop sign.

Here is another poem about the color blue:

Blue

Blue is the ocean
Blue are my eyes
Blue is the sky where
The lonely eagle flies.

 (poem from: http://www.songs4teachers.com/colorpoems.htm )

Brown

Brown is the mud
Brown is the bear
Brown is the color
Of my brother's hair.

 (poem from: http://www.songs4teachers.com/colorpoems.htm )


CLICK ON THE BLUE LINKS ABOVE FOR MORE COLOR POEMS!