Morrow
Contents
Foreword xi
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xvii
Introduction 1
CHAPTER 1 Foundations of Early Literacy Development:
Surveying the Past to the Present 13
Learning Theories, Research, and Philosophies That Have Shaped
Practices 16
Balanced Literacy Instruction 28
An Idea from the Classroom: Preschoolers Go Restaurant Hopping
(Constructivist Theory) 36
An Idea from the Classroom: Learning the Initial Consonant P (Explicit
Instruction) 37
Activities and Questions 39
CHAPTER 2 Assessment in Early Literacy:
A Guide for Designing Instruction 41
Theory and Research on Assessing Early Literacy Development 43
Portfolio Assessment 51
Standardized Tests 53
Standards and Standardized Tests for Reading and Writing 56
Stages of Child Development 60
An Idea from the Classroom: Reviewing What Was Learned Today 65
An Idea from the Classroom: You Write, I Write: Using Interactive Writing as a
Means of Authentic Assessment 66
Activities and Questions 67
CHAPTER 3 Literacy and Diversity: Meeting Needs of Children with
Special Concerns 69
Theory and Research about Literacy and Diversity: Addressing Children's
Individual Needs 70
Addressing the Literacy Needs of a Diverse Multicultural Society 71
Cultural Diversity 72
Gifted Children, Learning Disability, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder 82
Students Who Are at Risk 83
Multiple Intelligences and Literacy Development 84
Children with Physical Impairments 84
Intervention and Differentiation of Instruction 87
Put Yourself in the Place of the Child 91
An Idea from the Classroom: Where in the World Are You From? 93
An Idea from the Classroom: A Multicultural Bakery in the Dramatic-Play
Area 94
Activities and Questions 94
CHAPTER 4 Language and Vocabulary Development 97
Language Development and Reading 99
Theory and Research on How Children Acquire Language 100
Halliday's Theory of Language Development 103
Brain Development and Language and Literacy Development from
Birth to Age 3 104
Stages in Language Development 105
Helping English Language Learners in Your Classroom 109
Strategies for Language Development 110
Formats for Promoting Language and Vocabulary Development
in the Classroom 125
Assessment of Children's Language Development 127
An Idea from the Classroom: Using Props for Oral Language Development 131
Activities and Questions 132
CHAPTER 5 Strategies to Figure Out Words: Phonological Awareness,
Phonemic Awareness, and Phonics 135
Theory and Research Concerning the Acquisition of Literacy by Figuring
Out Words 136
Psycholinguistic Cueing Systems 138
Standards, Skills, and Objectives for Word Study 140
Teaching Strategies for Figuring Out Words 141
Reading Readiness Activities 142
Phonological Awareness and Phonemic Awareness 157
Learning about the Alphabet 161
Strategies for Teaching Phonics 163
Oral Reading to Check Word Study Knowledge 173
Published Materials for Literacy Instruction 174
Assessing Knowledge of Word Study Skills 177
When Do I Teach Word Study in the School Day? How Much Time Do I
Spend Teaching Word Study? How Do I Differentiate Instruction to Meet All
Achievement Levels? 181
An Idea from the Classroom: Ideas Using Alphabet Books 181
An Idea from the Classroom: My Very Own Alphabet Book 182
Activities and Questions 184
CHAPTER 6 Developing Comprehension of Text and
Concepts about Books 187
Concepts about Books 189
Activities That Develop Concepts about Books 189
Theory and Research on Comprehension of Text 191
How Comprehension Strategies Are Taught 195
Comprehension Strategies 196
Assessment of Concepts about Books and Comprehension of Text 225
When Do I Teach Comprehension in the School Day? How Much Time Do I
Spend Teaching Comprehension? How Do I Differentiate Instruction to Meet
All Achievement Levels? 225
An Idea from the Classroom: Visualizing 228
An Idea from the Classroom: Graphic Organizers 228
Activities and Questions 229
CHAPTER 7 Writing, Spelling, and Literacy Development 233
Theory and Research about Writing Development 235
Strategies for Writing Development from Birth to Age 2 247
Writing in Early Childhood Classrooms 249
Assessment of Children's Writing Development and the Writing
Environment 273
An Idea from the Classroom: Preschool and First-Grade Pen Pals 279
An Idea from the Classroom: Writing across Genres 279
Activities and Questions 280
CHAPTER 8 Motivating Reading and Writing Using Old
and New Literacies 283
Strategies for Motivating Reading and Writing 284
Preparing a Literacy-Rich Environment 288
Features of Well-Designed Literacy Centers 288
The Teacher as a Model to Motivate Interest 296
Story Reading and Storytelling with Expository and Narrative Text 298
Reading and Writing Independently 304
Literature Activities Initiated by the Teacher 305
Motivating Reading and Writing with Literacy Center Time 307
Organizing Literacy Center Time 307
Use of Technology to Motivate Literacy Development 314
Use of Play to Motivate Literacy Development 318
Assessing Children's Attitudes toward Books 321
An Idea from the Classroom: Felt-Board Story 323
An Idea from the Classroom: Simple Felt-Board Story 325
Activities and Questions 327
CHAPTER 9 Organizing and Managing the Literacy Program 329
Preparation of the Physical Environment 331
Theory and Research Concerning Literacy-Rich Physical
Environments 331
Thematic Units: Integrating Literacy Learning into Content Areas 339
Organizing Instruction to Meet Individual Needs: Guided Reading and Center
Activities 348
Organizing and Managing Literacy Instruction: Daily Schedules 363
An Idea from the Classroom: Programs for Kindergarten through Grade 3 365
An Idea from the Classroom: Full-Day Program for Preschool (Ages 3 and 4) 370
An Idea from the Classroom: Full-Day Program for Kindergarten 371
An Idea from the Classroom: Half-Day Program for Preschool
(Ages 3 and 4) 372
An Idea from the Classroom: Half-Day Program for Kindergarten 373
An Idea from the Classroom: Child-Care Centers 374
Activities and Questions 375
CHAPTER 10Family Literacy Partnerships: Home and
School Working Together 377
Theory and Research on Family Literacy 378
Family Literacy: Why Is It Important? 379
Strategies That Promote Literacy Development in the Home 382
Reading as a Home Activity 384
Reading to Children at Home from Birth to Age 8 386
Materials for Writing in the Home 387
Responsive Adults Encourage Literacy 388
Family Involvement in Your Literacy Program: What Teachers Can Do for
All Parents 391
Multicultural Perspectives Concerning Family Involvement and Family
Literacy 396
Family Literacy: Formal Programs 398
What Makes a Family Involvement Literacy Program Successful? 399
Learning More about Family Literacy 406
Resources for Families 406
An Idea from the Classroom: Family Backpacks 407
An Idea from the Classroom: Highlighting Family Involvement at School 408
An Idea from the Classroom: A Pajama Party: An Event to Spark School-Family
Partnerships 408
Activities and Questions 409
Afterword 411
APPENDIX A Children's Literature 415
APPENDIX B Quality Television Programs with
Associated Children's Books 427
APPENDIX C Literacy-Related Computer Software
and Websites for Children 429
APPENDIX D Professional Associations and Related Journals
Dealing with Early Literacy 431
APPENDIX E Literacy Software and Websites for Teachers 433
APPENDIX F Integrated Language Arts Thematic Unit:
Animals around the World 435
APPENDIX G Suggestions for Instructors 447
Glossary G-1
Children's Literature Bibliography B-1
Bibliography B-3
Index I-1
Strategies for the Classroom S-1
