Full Description
While learning to read and write takes time, there are effective ways to tap into what children already know and use that information to jump start the literacy process. One is through environmental print, the print that surrounds children in their natural environments, from billboards to lunch boxes. This handy and engaging book of environmental print (EP) activities brings in research from the National Reading Panel to support the use of EP across the curriculum in early childhood classrooms. Where relevant, the authors indicate how the activities meet the goals of both Early Reading First and Reading First. The research and activities in the book supply teachers with an understanding of the importance of using EP to promote literacy learning, and a jumping off point for effectively using EP right away. This book offers educators:* Foundational (Clay, Goodman) and recent (Vukelich, Schickedanz, Burns, Snow) research to support the use of environmental print in developing children's early literacy. * A wealth of environmental print activities for teaching language arts, math, health, science, social studies, art, music, and dramatic play. * Activities that specify goals/literacy skills, materials, instructions, variations and extensions, assessment practices, as well as related literature and songs to strengthen concepts * Suggestions for showing parents how to use environmental print with their children An environmental print book list and a sample letter to parents
Contents
AcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsIntroduction1. What We Know About Environmental Print and Young ChildrenThe Conceptual Framework for Using Environmental PrintWhat We Know About Early LiteracyResearch on Environmental PrintEnvironmental Print and Children With Special NeedsEnvironmental Print and No Child Left BehindSummary of the Research Findings on Environmental PrintAppropriate Ways to Use Environmental Print Throughout the Curriculum2. Language Arts ActivitiesDaily NewsPosters and SignsDictionariesWriting ExperiencesLiteracy Across Thematic UnitsRebus StoriesWall Lists and Bulletin BoardsPocket ChartsText InnovationsWord BoxesBook BoxesNewspaper Ad Word SearchRecipesLunchboxesBillboardsAlphabet Scavenger HuntEnvironmental Print WalkRestaurant MenusAlphabet Wall/Community AlphabetAlphabet BooksReading Inside the Box3. Math ActivitiesPuzzlesCouponsGraphsMath GamesMath in an Integrated CurriculumM & M's MathNewspaper AdsFood LabelsEnlarged Class TextsListsGrocery Store SurveysFood Groups4. Health and Science ActivitiesMaking Flavored MilkPeanut Butter and Jelly SandwichesMaking M & M's CoookiesMaking Chicken or Vegetable StewMaking PizzaMaking PancakesPretend ShoppingReal ShoppingGood Food Versus Junk FoodSnacks--How Good Are They?Where Does Food Go?Pretend RestaurantMatching ToothpastePlanting SeedsUsing Cardboard ContainersWeather SymbolsGoing on a Picnic5. Social Studies ActivitiesUsing the NewspaperPostcard TravelMapping the CommunityCommunity HelpersTransportation SchedulesHome Sales and RentalsEnvironmental Print Graphs and ElectionsCareers and Environmental PrintSocial Studies "Me Books" and JournalsCulturally Diverse Environmental Print6. Creative Dramatics, Music, and Art ActivitiesArt CollageStudying ArtistsNeighborhood MuralMe Boxes and "Myself"Delivery VehiclesMUSIC--Songs for CommercialsCreative Dramatics--"Centers" StageMusical Instrument TimeCan You Make a Puppet?7. Meeting the Goals of the National Reading Panel Through Environmental Print ActivitiesPhonemic Awareness Activity: Starts Like...Phonics Activity: Blended Environmental PrintFluency Activity: Speedy Shopping ListVocabulary Activity: What Goes With This?Comprehension Activity: Where Do You Find It?Conclusion: Challenges and Opportunities in Using Environmental PrintReflective TeachingTransformational TeachingResourcesResource A. Environmental Print Book ListResource B. Sample Letter to ParentsReferences
