Early Literacy Learning Model: Literacy-Rich Environments

1. Early Literacy Learning Model: Literacy-Rich Environments Distance Learning Events brought to you by the Center for Early Literacy Learning

2. What is this CELL distance learning event? • This distance learning event focuses on literacy-rich environments, which are one component of the early literacy learning model • The purpose of this distance learning event is to share information about: • The components of a literacy-rich environment • Embedding materials across a literacy-rich environment • Creating low-cost literacy-rich environments

3. Pause and think about literacy-rich environments before you proceed! • What does a literacy-rich environment look like? • What kinds of materials would be in a literacy-rich environment? • How could you use the same types of materials in different activities or learning centers? • Click hereto read or listen to CELL’s responses to these questions. • Proceed through the distance learning event with these responses in mind.

4. Introduce: What are literacy-rich environments? They are the contexts in which children engage in interest-based everyday literacy activities They stimulate children to participate in language and literacy activities They are in classrooms, homes, and many other places around the community They are interesting, inviting, comfortable and well stocked with easily accessible materials

5. Introduce: What are the components of a literacy-rich environment? • Classroom and home-based literacy-rich environments generally include: • Learning centers in a classroom or areas that provide opportunities for early literacy learning • Print, reading, and writing materials • Other materials to support literacy learning

6. Illustrate: Classroom Environments • Classroom settings often have a variety of learning centers or areas that can provide opportunities for literacy learning: • Indoors: greeting area, reading center, writing center, dramatic play center, computer center, art center, block center, music center, science center, snack/eating area, bathroom area • Outdoors: climbing structure, swings, sandbox, water table, field trips/walks, library visits

7. Illustrate: Home Environments • Homes also contain a number of areas that can provide opportunities for early literacy learning: • Indoors: entry area, living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry, bedroom, home office, basement, bathroom, garage • Outdoors: yard, driveway/pavement, outdoor play areas, library visits, shopping, riding in the car/bus

8. Illustrate: Materials • Print materials • Reading materials • Writing materials • Utensils • Surfaces • Click herefor a list of print, reading, and writing materials

9. Illustrate: Other Materials to Support Literacy Learning • Electronic materials • Props • Click here for a list of other materials to support literacy learning

10. Illustrate: Embedding Materialsin Functional Ways • Focus on embedding materials throughout the environment in functional and natural ways • Functional use of materials means that children use the materials for a specific purpose • For example: • Use paper and pencils to write a thank-you note • Use the telephone book to look up a number and make a phone call • Cut out pictures of food items from store flyers to make a shopping list

11. Illustrate: Creating Low Cost Literacy-Rich Environments • You can create a literacy-rich environment using many low cost alternatives including: • Re-use cleaned household item packages with printed labels • Collect discards and recyclables from local businesses • Use materials that come in the mail • Collect free samples • Request donations of materials • Seek out free/low-cost books or materials on the web

12. Practice: Identify Literacy-Rich Environments Watch the Making Room for Literacy video by clicking here What characteristics of a literacy-rich environment did you notice in the activities shown in the video? Pick one of the activities shown in the video and answer these questions: What was the learning center or area in the home in which the activity occurred? What materials were embedded in the learning center? Which materials were low-cost? How were the materials used in functional ways?

13. Practice: Identify Literacy-Rich Environments • Do you want more practice on identifying literacy-rich environments? • We have developed additional practices! • You can click here to access the additional practices for home visitorsor practitioners.

14. Evaluate: Identifying Literacy-Rich Environments • Submit your examples to our discussion board by clicking here • Think about these questions: (1)What literacy activities could the children do in these learning centers/areas?; and, (2) How could you acquire some of the low-cost materials that were shown? • Do you have any questions about the practice exercises? Please submit them to our discussion board by clicking here

15. Reflect: Literacy-Rich Environments • We strongly encourage you to reflect on the information you have learned in this distance learning event • Reflecting assists you to determine your level of knowledge and the outcome of your practice • To help you reflect about literacy-rich environments, print and complete the checklist located on our tools page located here

16. Everyday Literacy Activities Early Literacy Outcome Indicators Child Interests Responsive Teaching Literacy-Rich Environments CELL Early Literacy Learning Model: Bringing It All Together

17. Thank you! • Thank you for accessing this CELL distance learning event! • We value your feedback! Please provide it to us by clicking on this link • Remember to access other CELL distance learning events!