This book describes effective, engaging ways to build young children's print concepts and alphabetic knowledge, which are crucial for both reading and writing development. Presenting shared reading, shared writing, and targeted instructional activities, each chapter features helpful classroom vignettes, a section debunking myths about preschool literacy, and Ideas for Discussion, Reflection, and Action. Strategies are provided for creating print-rich classroom and home environments and differentiating instruction for diverse students, including English language learners. The book also discusses how to assess preschoolers' reading and writing progress. Reproducible checklists and parent handouts can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

Prekindergarten Essentials includes fun practice pages to help children learn these skills: -colors -shapes -opposites -handwriting -counting -the alphabet Filled with skill-building practice and real-world activities, Prekindergarten Essentials prepares children for success both in and out of the classroom. Give children the building blocks for classroom success with Prekindergarten Essentials. This workbook supports learning in three key areas: -reading -math -basic skills Designed to support independent thinking and discovery, Prekindergarten Essentials offers opportunities to learn off the page, engaging children in active learning while promoting critical thinking, creativity, and communication. The Essentials series for prekindergarten to second grades helps build a strong foundation for a successful educational journey. Each practice page features a “One Step Further” activity to encourage children to apply skills to everyday experiences. The books include fun puzzles and mazes in a bonus “Games and Activities” section.

Before children are readers and writers, they are speakers and listeners. This book provides creative, hands-on strategies for developing preschoolers' speaking, listening, and oral comprehension skills, within a literacy-rich classroom environment. Each chapter features helpful classroom vignettes; a section called Preschool in Practice, with step-by-step lesson ideas; and Ideas for Discussion, Reflection, and Action. The book addresses the needs of English language learners and describes ways to support students' literacy development at home. The final chapter pulls it all together through a portrait of an exemplary day of preschool teaching and learning. Reproducible forms and checklists can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

Discover new, practical methods for teaching literacy skills in your early childhood classroom. Has teaching early literacy skills become a stumbling block to getting your preschool students kindergarten ready? Break out of the tired “letter of the week” routine and learn how to transform your lessons with fun and effective techniques. Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers will equip teachers to infuse every aspect of their teaching with exciting hands-on literacy teaching methods that engage students and help them build authentic connections with books, so that 100% of their students will have a strong literacy foundation and will be fully prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond. Respected author Vanessa Levin, veteran early childhood educator and author of the “Pre-K Pages” blog, breaks down the research and translates it into realistic, actionable steps you can take to improve your teaching. Features specific examples of teaching techniques and activities that engage students in hands-on, experiential learning during circle time, centers, and small groups. Offers a simple, four-step system for teaching literacy skills, based on the foundational principles of early literacy teaching Demonstrates how to build your confidence in your ability to get 100% of your students ready for kindergarten, long before the end of the school year Understand the problems with traditional literacy teaching and identify gaps in your current teaching practice with this valuable resource.

This book answers the question what do early childhood educators need to understand to better address the linguistic, cognitive, and socioemotional needs of all DLLs in their classrooms?

The national push for early learning is no longer about preschool alone, but rather about strategic planning to increase achievement by working with communities to establish a strong Key Stages 1 and 2 foundation. This book provides the essential steps for carrying out this important work, including how to reach out to community early childhood education providers to establish quality instruction and build bridges to Key Stages 1 and 2. Drawing on their success in building a PreK-3 system in the Bremerton, WA school district and their work with schools across the USA, the authors provide education professionals with a field-tested, step-by-step road map that can be adapted for your own community and school district. Essential topics include: - Identifying the needs of families and children - Aligning resources, curriculum, instruction, and assessment - Establishing key players - Training staff - Developing a plan for implementation - Instituting professional learning communities - Anticipating potential challenges - Celebrating successes This book shows head teachers and early childhood professionals, as well as county officials, Education Officers, Head Start programmes, and Title I directors, how to provide all children with access to high-quality educational experiences in and before Reception and link early childhood standards and goals to the Key Stages 1 and 2 systems.

"The Early Learning Program Guide has been organized around foundational elements of a high quality early learning program. The focus is on learning from contemporary literature and practices. Part I describes the vision and principles around which the Guide has been developed. Part II, Children as Competent Learners, explores how beliefs about children and their capabilities impact program design, interactions and, ultimately, children's learning. Part III, Changing Role for Educators, reviews how seeing children as competent learners has caused educators to examine their practices and expand their roles. Part IV, How Young Children Learn, revisits active, experiential learning and why it is vital to child development. The role of exploration in children's learning is examined, as is the importance of holistic learning. Part V, Observation and Reflection--Critical Skills, describes how these powerful practices are foundational to the design of high quality programming. Part VI, High Quality Programming--What Does it Look Like?, highlights three key components of program design--the environment, relationships and planning--and how these are impacted by the foundational elements described in Parts I to V. The remaining portions of the document, Resource Sheets, Appendices and References, provide additional information. Readers will also notice Reflection and Decision Making pages. These are provided to assist educators in reflecting and discussing the foundational elements and planning for implementation."--Document.

Kindergarten Essentials helps children learn these important concepts: -rhyming words -handwriting -opposites -addition -patterns -numbers through 20 This workbook challenges learners to apply skills both in and out of the classroom! Strengthen the home-to-school connection and prepare children for classroom success. Kindergarten Essentials supports learning in three important areas: -basic skills -reading -math Packed with engaging practice, this workbook helps children learn how to communicate effectively and think critically. Make sure your child is ready to succeed in a twenty-first century classroom with the Essentials series. Available for prekindergarten to second grade, this series provides skill-building practice and fun activities. Each practice page features a “One Step Further” activity to encourage children to apply skills in everyday life. Workbooks also include a “Games and Activities” section to enhance the learning experience with puzzles, mazes, and more!

TODDLER–GRADE 2/AGES 3–8: With this title, children will learn letters and improve their printing skills. INCLUDES: Hours of colorful tracing activities to help young learners develop fine motor skills. WHY TRACE WITH ME: This series gives young learners the practice to master early reading, math, and basic concepts for school success. FUN AND ENGAGING: Each page features colorful illustrations and engaging activities that will hold a child's attention while they practice essential skills for school success. HOMESCHOOL FRIENDLY: This series is great for at-home learning so children can master their early learning skills.

"This core text introduces pre-service teachers to the essential components of literacy and describes how to effectively deliver explicit, evidence-based instruction on each component"--