"...not all children typically come to kindergarten with similar levels of knowledge about printed language." (IRA, 1998). This quote popped out to me during this week's reading and I think is something very important for kindergarten teachers (and teachers of all subjects) to remember. Teachers' instruction need to account for all of these children's differences, and the way to help this is by giving them a rich print environment! I think this is a great way to get children interested in reading because each child will have "a book for them", that they can read it as often as they want! And the great thing is when they're ready, they can move onto another great book! Below are some examples of different print for different reading levels, that all could be included in a kindergarten class.
This book by Mo Williems is great for beginning readers. There's little text (only text bubbles), but the pictures help display the stories perfectly!
http://www.urbanmoms.ca/mom_without_a_map/2010/04/our-favourite-toddler-books.html
Arthur books, by Marc Brown, are filled with text and are stories kindergartners can relate to. These books can be looked at by all ages, but more advance learners may find this text more challenging and fun to read.
http://www.k12.nf.ca/perlwin/books.html
It is so true that teachers' instruction needs to account for all of their children and all of their differences. This can be a very difficult thing to do and children need a very astute teacher who is aware of each child in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteThat quote also stood out to me in the reading. It is so important for teachers to understand that all children's background knowledge and skill of reading are at different levels. Great book suggestions! They are both very fun and engaging books that will encourage every child to be an engaged reader!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your ideas. It is so easy to forget that every student performs on a different level.Providing for each child is key. I want to start going to book stores and purchasing books on different levels so I have a diverse library for my students! Seeing your picture of the Arthur book made me remember how much I loved those books!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that children come into school on such varied levels of knowledge about reading. It's sad, but some children may come to school having interacted very very infrequently with books. With all of the different reading levels of children, just like in math and other areas, we have to provide differentiated instruction to our students so that we can help them all, no matter what level they are at. Providing books from different reading levels or degrees of difficulty is a good way to provide literature that every child in your classroom can read.
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