Children are read to each day. They are given opportunities to dictate their ideas and develop an understanding of the correlation between the spoken and written word. Songs, poems and finger plays are used extensively to help children understand rhyme, rhythm and repetition as a precursor to reading. Oral language is encouraged as a means to express needs and solve problems. Each classroom contains a writing center and a book corner.

Children are read to regularly individually, in small groups and as a whole group throughout the day. Children dictate their ideas and create class books to extend their understanding of stories they are read. Finger plays and songs are used to develop the children’s understanding of language.

Children are read to regularly individually, in small groups and as a whole group throughout the day. Children dictate their ideas and create class books to extend their understanding of stories they are read. Children are encouraged to predict and create alternate endings to stories and to develop their own stories. Language Charts and Language Experiences are used to give children the opportunity to see the correlation between the written and spoken word. Songs, poems and finger plays are used along with visual cues to represent the spoken word. Rhyming words and word families are introduced. “Handwriting without Tears” is used to introduce letters and letter formation.

Children continue to be read to regularly. They are introduced to independent reading in small flexible groups with books they reread at home. Songs, stories and finger plays are used to reinforce children’s developing understanding of language. Journals and “Kindergarten News” are terrific tools for developing children’s ability to express their ideas in writing. Phonemic spelling is encouraged. Open Court introduces capitalization, punctuation, letter sounds, sight words, and reading strategies. Children spend a large portion of their day engaged in hands-on, often thematically based activities to develop their understanding of the written and spoken language.