Reading to the children in your classroom everyday is the most important component of any literacy program. Choose high-quality children's literature with bright, simple illustrations. Use big books when possible. Before you begin a story, show the cover. Ask the children what the story might be about, based on the cover illustration. Read the title, demonstrating to the children how words run from top to bottom and left to right. Share your enthusiasm by saying something like, "This is a fabulous story because" -- and explain the story's significance. "I can't wait to share it with you." Make small signs with a sight word or picture from the story. Give one to each child to hold up when you read that word or come to the picture in the story. This practice encourages listening skills and introduces children to sight words. Point out individual letters occasionally, so children learn to recognize letters and understand that words are made up of individual letters. Always say the sound as well as the name of the letter.
When children act out stories that you've recently read, they develop language; learn social skills, such as taking turns; and begin to understand the sequence of stories. Stories always have a beginning, middle and end. Acting allows children to master stories at a deep level, which aids in later reading comprehension. Make props for your plays and ask the children to write labels or signs when appropriate. Incorporate puppets and musical instruments.
Phonemic awareness is the knowledge that words are made up of letters, which are made up of sounds. Phonemic awareness encompasses several components, such as the ability to hear rhymes, beginning sounds and letter blends. Read nursery rhymes or other silly poems. Play games, such as the rubber band game, to teach phonemic-awareness skills. Stretch a word so you say an elongated version of each sound. At the same time, move your hands wide as you say the word. Snap your hands back together as you say the word in its usual form.
Ensure that your classroom has a variety of materials related to the alphabet, such as alphabet books, puzzles and boards. Make letters out of textured materials such as sandpaper. Fill a cookie sheet with cornmeal or sand and show children how to make letters with their fingers. Fill a plastic zip-top bag with corn syrup and add a few drops of food coloring. Seal the top with packing tape. Draw letters on the outside of the bag with your finger.
When children begin writing, they make the powerful connection that writing and reading allows them to communicate their thoughts and ideas. Before children can write letters, they must master the basic strokes such as lines and curves, that make up letters. Practice making these strokes before you ask the children to write letters. Practice writing in an organic, relaxed way; for example, ask the children to help you make a chart or sign. Keep an alphabet board close at hand and show the children each letter. Break the letter down into strokes for them, saying something like, "See, to make an H, you start at the top and draw a straight line down. Then you make another straight line. Now you add a bridge in the middle." With practice, the children will begin writing independently. Incorporate writing into every aspect of your day. Make an office center with paper, calendars, memos, staplers and writing implements. Add clipboards or writing props to your pretend and block centers. As children become writers, they naturally become readers.