A Parent's Guide to Comprehensive Literacy
Word Study
To develop phonemic awareness and spelling proficiency
Includes the following activities:
* Introduction of the 43+ phonemic sounds used in the English language
* The Word Wall—high frequency vocabulary is introduced using a variety of activities and then prominently displayed in the classroom
* Spelling activities (in context of reading) and word games related to the words on the wall
* “Making Words” activities designed to develop an understanding of word patterns
* Use of charts, rhymes, songs and sound play.
Shared Reading
Shared Reading—to provide an opportunity for children to participate with the teacher in reading big books, charts, etc.
Shared Reading includes the following types of activities:
* Choral reading and chiming in
* Large group instruction about reading strategies and print conventions
Guided Reading—to work with the teacher in a small group setting in order to develop a full range of reading strategies that will allow the student to become an independent reader.
(Please see "Reading Strategies" for a list of strategies to follow when children become stuck on a word they are trying to read.)
Guided Reading includes the following types of activities:
* Direct reading instruction in a small group
* Reading material that has been especially selected for the children in the group
* Within this block the students will also be engaged in a variety of additional reading activities designed to strengthen their literacy skills.
To produce independent readers who are excited by reading and see it as a valued, worthwhile activity
Includes the following types of activities:
* Teacher reads to the students daily
* A wide variety of materials at various levels for the children to read
* Opportunities to re-read favourite stories
* Book talks given by children to the class, a group or a friend
* Teacher conferencing with individual students about the books they have read
* Running record assessment.
Writing
To enable students to view writing as a real and purposeful means of communication
Includes the following types of activities:
* Teacher modeling of writing
* Time for daily writing
* A writing centre
* Shared writing experiences
* Language experience charts
* Teacher and/or peer conferencing.
Comprehensive Literacy: The Home-School Connection
Some Helpful Suggestions
* Read to your child as often as you can.
* Encourage your child to join in and “read”. Point to the words as you read.
* Draw attention to print that is in the environment. (labels, signs, etc.)
* Read and write birthday cards, messages, grocery lists and letters together.
* Encourage your child to find words that begin with the same letters as his/her name.
* Ask questions before, during and after reading. (eg. “What do you think will happen next?") Ocasionally ask some "why" questions about the story.
* When reading aloud, if your child makes a mistake, allow time for self-correction. If the mistake makes sense, ignore it.
* Ask your child what word would make sense when she/he becomes “stuck” on a word. Encourage your child to "have-a-go", to use the pictures, to re-read, or to sound it out. More fluent readers can "read-on", to get the overall meaning.
Above all, be positive and have fun!
