Here, you will find activities, website links and other resources to help your child strengthen their language skills.
At the beginning of the school year, we will direct our attention to reviewing the names and sounds of each letter of the alphabet and use our new found knowledge to create simple words.
We will also be talking about the basic concepts of print, such as:
-identifying the front and back of the book
-identifying the title of the book
-identifying the name of the author and illustrator
-turning pages from right to left
-reading lines of text from left to right
-identifying periods, commas, and upper and lower case letters
-recognizing that the text of a book corresponds to the illustrations of a book and vice versa
Your child will also be given opportunities to respond to books by making predictions, asking questions about a story, and talking about the main message or lesson in a story.
How to Create a Literate Home:
Young Child and Kindergartner
The "literate home" for this age
child only needs a few inexpensive materials, but parent involvement is key.
Your young child or kindergartner continues to build his/her language base
(understanding and using language) in preparation for learning to read, so he/she
still benefits from lots of talk with adults that helps him/her learn new
words. Young children and kindergartners are beginning to figure out how the
written word works, and they are starting to use reading and writing in their
daily lives. At this age, having a wide variety of books and writing materials
available is crucial.
What You Need
· Children’s Books
For young children, nursery rhymes, ABC books, informational books and storybooks are most appropriate. Kindergartners will enjoy longer stories or chapter books, and some will be able to read very easy books by themselves by the end of the year. You can look for bargain children’s books at used bookstores and yard sales, or purchase books at great prices through monthly book clubs offered through child care centers or schools.
For young children, nursery rhymes, ABC books, informational books and storybooks are most appropriate. Kindergartners will enjoy longer stories or chapter books, and some will be able to read very easy books by themselves by the end of the year. You can look for bargain children’s books at used bookstores and yard sales, or purchase books at great prices through monthly book clubs offered through child care centers or schools.
·
Letters
Young children and kindergartners learn to identify the letters. In your home, it is important to have a number of types of letters that your child can move around. Alphabet blocks, foam letters for the bathtub, ABC puzzles, magnetic refrigerator letters, ABC cookie cutters, letter stamps and letter stickers are all ideal materials for children this age.
Young children and kindergartners learn to identify the letters. In your home, it is important to have a number of types of letters that your child can move around. Alphabet blocks, foam letters for the bathtub, ABC puzzles, magnetic refrigerator letters, ABC cookie cutters, letter stamps and letter stickers are all ideal materials for children this age.
·
Writing Materials
Thick markers, paint brushes, pencils and crayons are ideal for the youngest writers since they are still developing the small muscles in their hands that help them hold tools. Likewise, large paper is best for young children. Your kindergartner will be able to use standard-sized writing tools and paper. He/she may also enjoy it if you make a "book" for him/her to write in by stapling paper together. Having a model of all the letters available for young writers allows them to refer to it if they have trouble remembering letter formations.
Thick markers, paint brushes, pencils and crayons are ideal for the youngest writers since they are still developing the small muscles in their hands that help them hold tools. Likewise, large paper is best for young children. Your kindergartner will be able to use standard-sized writing tools and paper. He/she may also enjoy it if you make a "book" for him/her to write in by stapling paper together. Having a model of all the letters available for young writers allows them to refer to it if they have trouble remembering letter formations.
·
Reading and Writing Materials for
Parents
When children see the adults around them using reading and writing in their everyday lives, they are more likely to become readers and writers themselves. Simply having a bookshelf full of books, reading the local newspaper, and having a notepad on which you write grocery lists and phone messages shows your child that reading and writing serve valuable everyday purposes.
When children see the adults around them using reading and writing in their everyday lives, they are more likely to become readers and writers themselves. Simply having a bookshelf full of books, reading the local newspaper, and having a notepad on which you write grocery lists and phone messages shows your child that reading and writing serve valuable everyday purposes.
·
Props for Pretend Play
Props such as dress-up clothes and play dishes encourage your young child or kindergartner to pretend, and pretend play actually contributes to literacy skills. Make props for pretend play from materials you already have at home. Empty cereal boxes, mom’s old necklaces and an old pot and wooden spoon make ideal items for countless make-believe scenarios.
Props such as dress-up clothes and play dishes encourage your young child or kindergartner to pretend, and pretend play actually contributes to literacy skills. Make props for pretend play from materials you already have at home. Empty cereal boxes, mom’s old necklaces and an old pot and wooden spoon make ideal items for countless make-believe scenarios.
·
CD’s
Books and children’s music on CD’s are another way for your child to enjoy stories and music. Most libraries have extensive collections of audio books and children’s music CD’s to borrow.
Books and children’s music on CD’s are another way for your child to enjoy stories and music. Most libraries have extensive collections of audio books and children’s music CD’s to borrow.
·
Videos
Videos can help your young child or kindergartner learn basic concepts and information. They are also another way to expose your child to quality children’s literature. For children this age, concept videos such as ABC’s or rhyming are appropriate, while young children and kindergartners will also enjoy watching videos of familiar books.
Videos can help your young child or kindergartner learn basic concepts and information. They are also another way to expose your child to quality children’s literature. For children this age, concept videos such as ABC’s or rhyming are appropriate, while young children and kindergartners will also enjoy watching videos of familiar books.
What You Can Do
·
Organize a bookshelf for your child’s
collection. A sturdy bookshelf
located in an area accessible to your child is ideal. This way, he/she can
reach books and use them without asking your permission. Having a special place
for his/her books will demonstrate to your child that books are valuable.
·
Set up a writing area for your child. Having all of their
materials in one accessible spot will encourage your young child or
kindergartner to write. Having a special writing box or even a writing table or
desk will help your child to see writing as an important activity.
·
Talk together about things that interest your
child. Ask genuine questions,
ones to which you do not already know the answer. Ask questions that help
children think about why and how and
not just what. When you talk, be sure to listen to your child’s
response and build upon what they have to say.
·
Introduce new vocabulary words when you talk
with your child. When you use a new word, make sure to explain its meaning to
your child and encourage them to ask when she does not know the meaning of a
word.
·
Continue your daily read-aloud routine. Continue the routine that you established earlier in your
child’s life. Reading at the same time each day and in the same comfortable
place, such as in bed or on the couch, makes read-aloud a time to anticipate.
·
Point to the words when you read aloud. You need not do this for every page but pointing to the
words in the book’s title, or to the words of a repeated phrase in a picture
book, is a good idea. When you point to the words, you show your child that
there is a correspondence between spoken and written words and that print goes
from left to right.
·
Listen to your child "read." By the end of kindergarten, most children will be able to
"read" some very easy books aloud by relying mostly on the pictures
and their memory of the story. Make sure to set aside some of your read-aloud
time to listen to your child read as soon as he/she is ready. Avoid pushing your
child to do this until he/she shows interest, however.
·
Incorporate literacy into outings. Visit your local library, bookmobile or bookstore to find
new read-aloud ideas for your child. Many libraries feature free song and story
hours that young children and kindergartners may enjoy.
·
Be a reader and writer yourself. One of the most effective ways to help children become
readers and writers is to show them through your own example that you value
literacy and that reading and writing have useful purposes. Make sure that you
have a variety of printed and writing materials in your house that you use on a
regular basis. Talk to your child about
what you are doing when you read and write.
Learning
The Letters Of The Alphabet
Learning
the letters of the alphabet (both upper and lower case) and the sounds that
each letter makes is the first step in helping your child to read and write. In
Kindergarten, we spend a lot of time focusing on recognizing the letters of the
alphabet and the sounds that they make. Listed below are some suggested
activities that you can do at home to help your child learn the alphabet,the
sounds that they make, and eventually print the letters of the alphabet.
1.
Go on a letter hunt (e.g., search for letters around the home, grocery store,
in the neighborhood on street signs and license plates etc…)
2.
Use letter flash cards (e.g., show the letter card and ask your child to tell
you the letter, sound, and an object that begins with that letter)
3.
Sing songs and chant poems relating to the alphabet
4.
Use magnetic letters (e.g., place a magnetic letter on a baking tray and ask
your child to name the letter and the sound that it makes)
5.
Using playdough, roll out the letters of the alphabet.
6.
When reading story books, ask your child to name some of the letters that
he/she sees and practice saying the sounds.
7.
Print letters using white boards, chalk boards, paper, pencils, markers, pencil
crayons, crayons, and other writing tools. Your child could even paint the
letters of the alphabet.
8.
Using flyers, newspapers, magazines, etc… have your child cut out the letters
that he or she recognizes.
9.
Using letter stampers, stamp out the letters of the alphabet on paper.
10.
Play the game “I Spy” around the home. (E.g., “I Spy with my little eye
something that begins with the letter ‘B’. ---ball”)
11.
Print letters using sidewalk chalk or in the sand.
Tips on Playing to Learn at Home
Ontario's
full-day kindergarten program encourages kids to learn through play.
Studies show
that kids gain many skills through play, and these early skills help
kids become
successful learners.
Here are some
tips on how to help your child play to learn at home.
How to Encourage
Play in Your House:
• Put on some
music and dance or move around.
• Create an
obstacle course and crawl under, climb over, or move around the
obstacles.
• Go for a walk
around your neighbourhood (this also helps your child become
familiar with
the school and the way to school).
• Roll, throw,
catch, and kick balls of different sizes.
• Visit the park
or playground.
• Whenever
possible, respond when your child initiates play.
• Talk to your
child while he/she is playing, explain and name things that he/she is playing
with.
• Ask your child
questions about his/her play (for example: what, where, why,
when, who and
how?). This will help him/her learn to self-reflect and encourage
his/her thinking
skills.
• Read stories
with your child and act them out (for example: stories about
children
starting school).
• Add paper and
crayons to your child’s play area so he/she can make scribbles,
lists, drawings,
and plans. This helps your child develop writing skills for
school.
• Add measuring
cups and rulers to stimulate his/her interest in mathematical and
scientific
concepts.
• Take your
child out for a walk around your neighbourhood or a hike through
the park.
• Pretend play
what you have done together (for example: going to the grocery
store).
• Let your child
help you with simple chores and talk about them.
• Bake, cook and
prepare food with your child.
(from
http://tvoparents.tvo.org/article/tips-playing-learn-home)
POPCORN WORDS LIST:
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION AND GUIDE!
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION AND GUIDE!
The list on the
following page contains the high-frequency words that we will be focussing on
for a large portion of the school year.
These words are
commonly referred to as “Fry’s Sight Word List, 1-100” or “Popcorn Words”,
because they “pop” up often when we read!
We will likely
pick two to four words from this list to focus on each week.
Here are some
suggested activities that you could do with your child when reviewing these
words:
1. Have your child write out each
word.
2. Ask him/her to review the word
and ask if he/she can spell it without looking at the list!
3. Have your child use each word
in a sentence. (An extension of this
activity would be for your child to write his/her sentence on paper.)
4. Using magnetic letters, mix up
the individual letters to a word and have your child put the letters in the
right order.
5. Build upon each word by asking
questions such as, “Can you think of another word that begins with the same
letter?”, or, “What word would we have if we took away the first two letters in
‘think’ and replaced them with the letter ‘s’?” (This last question would help your child understand the concepts of
rhyming words or “word families”, and would also help them review basic letter
sounds).
Of course, you are welcome to review more
words from the list with your child in addition to the ones we have chosen in a
given week!
As always, thank you for your ongoing
support and cooperation!
POPCORN WORDS
LIST (FRY’S SIGHT WORD LIST, 1-100)
a
|
down
|
is
|
other
|
to
|
about
|
each
|
it
|
out
|
two
|
all
|
find
|
its
|
part
|
up
|
am
|
first
|
like
|
people
|
use
|
an
|
for
|
long
|
said
|
was
|
and
|
from
|
look
|
see
|
water
|
are
|
get
|
made
|
she
|
way
|
as
|
go
|
make
|
so
|
we
|
at
|
had
|
many
|
some
|
were
|
be
|
has
|
may
|
than
|
what
|
been
|
have
|
more
|
that
|
when
|
but
|
he
|
my
|
the
|
which
|
by
|
her
|
no
|
their
|
who
|
call
|
him
|
not
|
them
|
will
|
can
|
his
|
now
|
then
|
with
|
come
|
how
|
number
|
there
|
word
|
could
|
I
|
of
|
these
|
would
|
day
|
if
|
on
|
they
|
write
|
did
|
in
|
one
|
this
|
you
|
do
|
into
|
or
|
time
|
your
|