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Language & Literacy
The language/literacy area is a focal point of literacy
learning in the classroom. The main centers, library, writing,
and listening,
should remain in this area throughout the year.
Books and materials should be rotated within these centers to
support and encourage exploration of different themes or topics of
interest.
Goals:
Activities
in the literacy area support children’s imagination and creativity.
They learn about the importance of print as a means for
communicating and gaining information.
They are exposed to new ideas and experiences when they read and
explore different literary genres, including stories, poems, fairytales,
and informational text.
In
the literacy area children have the opportunity to develop core literacy
concepts such as oral language, phonemic awareness, concepts of print,
concepts of books, and alphabet knowledge. They spend time exploring emergent reading and writing
activities. Listening and thinking skills are enhanced as they listen and
tell and retell stories. When
children participate in activities in the literacy area they are
developing a love for books and stories, which will support their learning
throughout their lives.
Area:
The
language and literacy area should be one of the main area of the
classroom. It should be located in a quieter area where there is less
traffic. It is idea to have this area on a carpeted location to make it
more comfortable.
Equipment:
To
make this an inviting and comfortable are for children to get cozy with
books, offer lots of soft pillows or beanbags. There should be carpeting
or a rug in this area. Books should be displayed on open faced shelves
so children can see what books they are choosing from. Other books can
be placed in themed bins and located on child accessible shelves as
well. It is nice to have a child sized table and chairs for the children
to sit at and read, listen to books on CD/tape, or work on file folder
games. If you include a writing center in this area, it is a good idea
to offer a separate table for this center.
Supplies:
Books!
You will need books and lots of them. You can find links to all kinds of
great books for kids throughout this website. Other resources for buying
books are to look at garage sales, second hand stores, your public library,
etc.
A
flannel board with flannel story pieces, are a nice addition for
children to use to retell stories or create their own stories.
Puppets
are a great here too! Children can use them as "Book Buddies"
or act out stories or make up their own puppet shows.
You
may want to include some file folder type games that help kids practice
letter recognition, rhyming, and other literacy skills.
Centers:
The
following centers can be found in a language/literacy area. Each
center lists specific materials that could be included in each center and
how those materials support literacy development. Other centers can be
added and/or rotated to meet individual program needs.
Tips:
Resources:
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