Category: Letter and Word Recognition

Strategies to help children identify letters and figure out words.

Posted in Be a PhD, Headlines, Letter and Word Recognition, Literacy, Oral Language, Parenting, Preschooler, Toddler

Linking Children’s Literature with Cooking

Posted on by drjenn

Children’s literature is an obvious part of early childhood classrooms. Children learn about and come to understand the world through their experiences with fictional and nonfictional stories. Cooking is another part of early childhood classrooms that I feel should be just as obvious. The skills that children learn when participating in a cooking experience are too many to list: Math, Science, Literacy, Social/Emotional…and on and on. Continue reading “Linking Children’s Literature with Cooking” →

Posted in Be a PhD, Headlines, Infant, Letter and Word Recognition, Literacy, Preschooler, Quick Tips, Toddler

First Explorations with Letters

Posted on by drjenn

Before children are even using writing utensils to attempt to write letters, they are making them with whatever they can find. Here are a few basic items to have in your classroom that children can use to explore the shapes, sizes and structures of letters for the first time: Continue reading “First Explorations with Letters” →

Posted in Be a PhD, ESL/ELL Instruction, Letter and Word Recognition, Literacy, Preschooler, Quick Tips, Teaching Strategies

The Different Types of Alphabet Books

Posted on by drjenn

ABC Concept books don’t focus on one specific theme for the book, but rather focus on learning the actual letters. The children will primarily learn the alphabet.

Try: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

ABC Content books have one central theme and each letter represents something from that theme. The children will learn theme-specific vocabulary and the alphabet.

Try: Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z

Posted in Be a PhD, ESL/ELL Instruction, Letter and Word Recognition, Literacy, Oral Language, Preschooler, Teaching Strategies

ESL/ELL Instruction – It’s easier than you think!

Posted on by drjenn

Whether you have ESL children or not in your classroom, having a variety of word games to be played by pairs of students or small groups is ideal. Pocket charts are great for these types of games. The key is to do activities where all students can interact and move around. Continue reading “ESL/ELL Instruction – It’s easier than you think!” →

Posted in Letter and Word Recognition, Literacy, Oral Language, Quick Tips, Teaching Strategies

A fun twist on the alphabet song

Posted on by drjenn

Looking for a fun twist to the traditional alphabet song? Try the Hip Hop Alphabet. You can play the song in the background (the video isn’t needed) and either:

1. Display the alphabet on a large screen or easel and have one child use a pointer to point to each letter as the class sings the song OR

2. Give each child a letter of the alphabet and have them hold it up high and dance as it comes up in the song

Trust me, kids will love it. My undergraduate ECE preservice teachers do too!

Posted in Be a PhD, Headlines, Letter and Word Recognition, Literacy, Preschooler, Teaching Strategies

What’s your name?

Posted on by drjenn

So it’s time for your Kindergarteners to learn the letters of the alphabet. I mean really learn the letters. They all can sing the ABC song, but can they really point to each letter and identify it? Probably not. (And that’s fine by the way). I suggest using the children’s names to jumpstart your exploration into letters. Continue reading “What’s your name?” →