Early Literacy
Supporting Early Childhood Programs
November 2017 Edition
Literacy Development
Engaging in a Professional Learning Community
Across the State of Michigan, early childhood instructional staff are taking a closer look at their current literacy practices. They are using the Pre-K Essential Instructional Early Literacy Practices guide as a reference for best literacy practices that every preschooler should experience daily. Professional learning opportunities for early childhood instructional staff are planned to support these practices. A professional learning community supports staff in their personal learning. This year, we are supporting the professional learning of interactive read aloud, phonological awareness, and print knowledge. It is also best practice for Infants and toddlers to be engaged with read alouds. Look for more information to come on professional learning opportunities available to you.
Flint Kids Read
Providing the best early literacy strategies in classrooms and at home is a priority for the "Literacy Team" as part of the Flint Kids Read Grant. The team is working to strengthen the language and literacy skills of Flint families. They support Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and local library use along with other local collaborative efforts. The team is comprised of Michelle McQueen as the Literacy Coordinator for 0-5. The three literacy coaches are Laurie Kelly, Killotta Tartt-Wall and Talicia Taylor.
Pizza Shop
Within daily opportunities for dramatic play, the teacher provides models, use of, and encourages children’s engagement with the intentional use of literacy artifacts such as menus, writing pads and placemats. These could easily be incorporated into a Pizza Shop that the children run.
Props for the shop include:
-A pizza takeout box
-Empty spice containers
-Aprons and hot pads
-Pizza ingredients cut out of felt or posterboard
-Laminated menus and order pads for children to write on with dry erase markers
Rhymes
Open shut them
Open shut them
Give a little clap, clap, clap
Open shut them
Open shut them
Lay them on your lap, lap, lap
Creep them creep them
Creep them creep them
Right up to your chin, chin, chin
Open wide your little mouth
But do not let them in
Shake them shake them
Shake them shake them
Shake them
Just like this, this, this
Roll them roll them
Roll them roll them Roll
And blow a little kiss
Smooch!
Fall Song
Fall Leaves Falling
(Sung to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)
(Reach up with both hands to the sky & wave arms slowly)
Fall leaves falling all around
Fall leaves red & fall leaves brown.
(Point to head & toes)
Fall leaves on my head and toes.
(Reach with one arm up)
Reach for a leaf.
(Bring arm down & point to ground)
Down it goes.
(Reach up with both hands & wave arms)
Fall leaves falling all around.
(Slowly bring arms down & sit body on the ground)
Fall leaves falling to the ground.
Fill the shelves, Foster a love of reading
- Borrowing from the public library allows 20 items to be checked out for three weeks at a time. The Flint Public Library and the Genesee District Libraries provide these services in Genesee County.
- If at least 70 percent of the students in your class come from low-income families, check out First Book for your classroom library needs. First Book offers a marketplace where teachers can find new books at 50 to 90 percent off retail prices.
- Scholastic Warehouse Event Sale host local events for discounted book purchases.
Free Books for Children 0-5
SIGN THEM UP!
Please make sure all children that live in zipcodes 48501-07 and 48532 are signed up with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to receive a free book monthly from birth to age five.
Michelle McQueen
Email: mmcqueen@geneseeisd.org
Website: http://www.geneseeisd.org/
Location: Genesee Intermediate Sch District, 3375 Van Campen Road, Flint, MI, United States
Phone: (810) 922-1707