The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is proud to be part of Long Island's Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Education. Visit its web page for links to all partner organizations. Many have important resources to offer: www.nassauboces.org/rtac
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How to support preschoolers' early writing |
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From drawings and scribbles to sounding out and recording words, preschoolers typically exhibit a wide range of early writing skills. That's why three experts offer a framework for evaluating children's work and helping them take the next step in their development. "Children can grow in their understanding of how print and sound work together," according to their article reprinted by Reading Rockets. "Writing serves as a type of laboratory, in which even very young children are actively creating and testing hypotheses about how writing works." |
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The article, originally published in 2013, was funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to the University of Virginia. The authors recognize that "preschool teachers receive limited practical guidance on how to apply the research on early writing to help individualize instruction for children." So they offer not only a detailed framework with strategies for supporting writing for four different types of students, but also provide extended classroom scenarios, illustrating how they can be used.
"Marvin," for example is in the dramatic play center, pretending to be a doctor and writing prescriptions for other children. They include scribbles that look like letters or numbers, as well as three characters from his name, MAV. In an extended scenario, the teacher talks with Marvin about the letter M and asks him which of his patients' names also start with that letter, as well as with the "S" at the beginning of Sam, another letter he recognizes.
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What books Kindergarten students love most |
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Would you guess that the most popular digital book for five year olds this year has been Harrison P. Spader: Personal Space Invader? That's one finding of this year's What Kids Are Reading report, a survey of seven million K-12 students across the U.S. conducted by Renaissance, a company that sells reading and math programs.
The survey found that digital reading increased by 107% from fall 2019 to fall 2020--an increase driven by the pandemic and the shift to remote learning and kids spending more time at home.
When Kindergarteners only are examined, the survey found that more than half of the books were read to children (52%), 21% were read with children and 27% were read independently. Top print books included a Dr. Seuss collection, and the ever-popular Pigeon and Pete the Cat series. Newly published books that students frequently chose: Bad Dog and The Littlest Witch.
Why does it matter what kids read? "Students who are interested in what they are reading read more and become more fluent in their reading," writes Renaissance vice president Gene Kearns in an article for The 74 Million. "Titles that are widely popular become ideal books to recommend to reluctant readers."
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Don't overlook the power of picture books for early literacy |
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There's been a lot written and said lately about what's the best way to teach children to read in school. Blogger and author Nancy Bailey reminds us not to forget something more fundamental: the importance of picture books."The more access young learners have to quality picture books, the more they will care about reading and do it often and well."
In a piece just posted last week, Bailey includes links to organizations such as Read Out and Read and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. A scholarly article in the journal Pediatrics confirmed that the way they provide books to families improves Kindergarten readiness. Other resources of interest: a librarian's article on why wordless picture books help children learn cause and effect, and a list of useful picture books for promoting mathematical thinking. Read more.
Love Picture Books? Register for this free "Palooza"
On July 15, the School Library Journal is conducting an all-day, no cost virtual celebration of authors and artists "dedicated to the visual dance and extraordinary craft of picture books!" To learn more or to register, click here.
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Sessions are filling up for Summer Institute; sign up now |
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This year's Summer Institute offers free webinars every Wednesday, kicking off with a keynote on Wednesday, June 30. Teachers, teacher assistants, administrators, directors and other early education practitioners are encouraged to register now for these sessions; some are almost sold out. The keynote, by nationally recognized presenter Cindy Hoisington, explores how to support young children's STEM thinking. Other virtual workshops introduce Simple STEAM experiments, literacy for EMLLs and using the revised New York State Early Learning Guidelines. |
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No cost training in Pyramid for Infant/Toddler |
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Thanks to grant funding, a three-part Pyramid Module Training for infant/toddler teachers and staff is being offered in June and July. Participants must register and attend all three sessions. Materials can be picked up at the Baldwin office of QS2 Training and Consulting , or arrangements can be made to have them mailed to you.
Module 1: Social Emotional Development Within the Context of Relationships
Dates: Tuesday, June 22 and Thursday, June 24, 2021
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Module 2: Responsive Routines, Environments and Targeted Strategies to Support Social Emotional Development
Dates: Wednesday, June 30 and Thursday, July 1, 2021
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Module 3: Individualized Intervention with Infants and Toddlers
Dates: Tuesday, July 6 and Thursday, July 8
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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Last few days to register for Intro to NYS Early Learning Guidelines |
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The Guidelines are an excellent tool for planning curriculum and programs for Pre-K through Grade 3. This webinar is designed for Assistant Superintendents and School Building Leaders. Please join using a computer rather than a phone or tablet. We will be using the online version of the Early Learning Guidelines.
Date:Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Presenters: Helen Frazier, Ivonne Monje and Tatiana Bacigalupe, New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
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The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a collaborating partner in the state-funded Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education. |
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71 Clinton Rd. Garden City, NY 11530-9195
Phone: 516-396-2220
www.nassauboces.org/pre-k
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