Early Childhood Literacy Assignment 08?
Assignment 08 E13 Early Childhood Literacy Directions:Be sure to make an electronic copy of your answer before submitting it to Ashworth College for grading. Unless otherwise stated, answer in complete sentences, and be sure to use correct English spelling and grammar. Sources must be cited in APA format. Your response should be four (4) pages in length; refer to the "Assignment Format" page for specific format requirements. Briefly describe six of the nine criteria a teacher considers when selecting a story to tell to the class. Next, name a story for each of the three main categories of stories. Then create a numbered list showing the steps teachers typically go through to prepare for presenting a story to children. Grading Rubric Please refer to the rubric on the next page for the grading criteria for this assignment.Lecture NotesWelcome to Lesson 8. You made it! What an accomplishment. Think back
to your first education course and how you felt when you began. Were you
excited? Intimidated? Anxious? Whatever you were experiencing is
probably very different from your feelings now. You have gained an
enormous amount of information about children and how they are best
educated. Your textbook is a resource that I am certain you will refer
to many times in the future. The ideas given are relevant and extremely
easy to use.In this lesson, you compile all of the information learned to this
point and create an effective language arts center in your classroom. If
left to us, I’m sure we would all choose to have a huge classroom with
all of the materials and supplies imaginable. Unfortunately, that is a
rarity. In the textbook you will find a huge list of suggested materials
for a language arts center. This is not meant to suggest that without
all of these a quality center is impossible. Nor does it mean that
nothing else could go into this center. Use the ideas, information, and
supplies that are available and add other items as you see fit.Always be on the lookout for supplies. Sometimes you will find them
in unexpected places. One time I stopped at a Going-Out-Of-Business
sale. Inside I found a stack of huge clipboards. I knew these would be
great for the children to use while writing or drawing down on the
floor. When I asked how much they were, I was told $2. When I said that I
would take two of them, he said, “Oh, I meant $2 for all of them.” I
got twelve enormous clipboards for $2 total! Garage sales may also have
wonderful treasures for your center. I once found an old typewriter at a
garage sale. My students loved typing! Any avenue that results in
children trying new forms of writing, experimenting with what they know,
and practicing their literacy skills is a win win!Technology is such a part of our lives that it must be mentioned.
Whatever your feelings about using or not using technology in your
classroom, it is something you will need to consider. How will you use a
classroom computer? How much time will children be allowed to use it?
It is recommended that screen time for children be limited. This
includes television, computer, tablets, etc. – basically anything that
has a screen. A classroom computer’s screen should be in view at all
times and monitored closely by the teacher or other adult in the room.
Also, you will most likely be asked by parents about e-books. Using
e-books is not terrible, if it is an addition, not a replacement, to a
child’s reading opportunities. An e-book that reads itself to a child
will never replace the value of a parent sharing a great book with a
child.Your classroom is set and you are ready to go. Now all you need are
the children. Along with children, come parents. Have you thought about
how you will get to know them? How will you use parent volunteers? Why
do you need to even bother? The parents will be one of your greatest
resources. No one else knows your students as well. No one else can
provide you with insight into what makes Johnny tick. Will you make a
home visit before school begins? Will you invite them into your
classroom on a one-on-one basis? Will you send a note? Will you make
telephone calls? Parents need to see from the beginning how much you
want to know them and how much they are valued.Don’t count on one form of communication to be the answer with all
parents. Some will prefer email, some won’t. Some will appreciate a home
visit, others may not. For some, a handwritten note may be perfect and
speak volumes, while for others that extra effort may simply go
unappreciated. The intention is key, and the desire to relate to parents
will show that you care about what they care most about – their child.
Find ways to incorporate the strengths of your parents. For example, if
you have a parent who is a baker, what a wonderful opportunity to
involve him or her in your classroom. What about a parent who plays a
musical instrument? Can sing? Writes poetry? Has a new baby? Any
connection you can make is important.It is unfortunate that many children in our country grow up in homes
with abuse, financial distress, uneducated parents, and improper
supervision. As a teacher, you will have the complex and overwhelming
job of reaching out to these parents and their children and helping in
the best way you can. Be an encourager, not a judge. Be willing to offer
help. Do not be disgusted by your observations. Offer suggestions in a
nonthreatening, nonjudgmental way. Often, parents want to know how to
help their children better, but have no idea what or how to ask. Allow
children to take books home from your classroom. It is very possible
that a book from the classroom may be the only book in the home.If I had the opportunity to talk with parents about only one topic,
it would be the negative impact that television has had on our children.
Physically our children are not as healthy as in the past. They are
also suffering mentally. By the time children reach school, they are so
used to sitting, watching, and being passively entertained that school
becomes frustrating, not exciting as it should be. The violence and
inappropriate subject matter often depicted on TV are damaging to
children. Please encourage parents to find alternate activities for
their children.You have quite a lot to think about as you begin your career. Your
task isn’t small. Your responsibilities are great. Your rewards will be
huge. Have a great time, and I wish you all the best!