English Language Arts
In a Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Classroom
Acknowledgements
The following county offices of
education developed the TK
professional development
modules:
With contributions from:
Fresno County Office of Education
Merced County Office of Education
Contra Costa County Office of Education
CCSESA’s CISC School Readiness Subcommittee
Humboldt County Office of Education
Orange County Department of Education
Coordinated by:
Sacramento County Office of Education
Sacramento County Office of Education
Santa Clara County Office of Education
Funding provided by:
Shasta County Office of Education
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WELCOME
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Language and Literacy
Development
“Intentional teachers use their knowledge of child
development and literacy learning to supply materials,
provide well-timed information, guide discussions, make
thoughtful comments, ask meaningful questions, and pose
calibrated challenges that advance children’s learning.”
Source: Epstein, The Intentional Teacher, p. 40
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Norms
 Start and end on time
 Silence cell phones
 Listen to and contribute thoughts and ideas
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Session Outcomes
 Examine the Preschool Learning Foundations and the
California Kindergarten Common Core Standards for
English Language Arts
 Review English Language Development for English
learners and the English Language Arts Common Core
Standards
 Identify instructional strategies for transitional
kindergarten (TK) to support a modified kindergarten
curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate
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Background
 California was one of just four states (along with Connecticut,
Michigan, and Vermont) with a cut-off date later than
December 1. In most states, children must turn five by
September 1 in order to start kindergarten
 Research indicates that beginning kindergarten at an older age
improves children’s social and academic development
(Cannon, J.S. & Lipscomb S., 2008)
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Senate Bill 1381 (Simitian)
The Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010
Source: Early Edge California
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Developmentally Appropriate Practice
Developmentally Appropriate Practice
“…involves teachers meeting young children where they
are (by stage of development), both as individuals and as
part of a group; and helping each child meet challenging
and achievable learning goals”
 Knowing about child development and learning
 Knowing what is individually appropriate
 Knowing what is culturally important
National Association for the Education of Young Children (www.naeyc.org/DAP)
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Developmentally Appropriate Practice
Principles of Child Development and Learning –
Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early
Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth
through Age 8
Copple, C., & Bredekamp. S., (Eds.). (2009). Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving
Children from Birth Through Age 8. 3rd ed. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children,
(pp. 10-15).
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Universal Design for Learning
 Provide Multiple Means of Representation
 Perception
 Language expressions and symbols
 Comprehension
 Provide Multiple Means of Action and Expression
 Physical action
 Expression and communication
 Executive function
 Provide Multiple Means of Engagement
 Recruiting interest
 Sustaining effort and persistence
 Self-regulation
http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines
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The Alignment of the California
Preschool Learning Foundations
with Key Early Education Resources
 All domains of the Preschool Learning Foundations correspond to the
California Kindergarten Content Standards
 Preschool Learning Foundations Language and Literacy domain aligns
with the California Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English
Language Arts
 Preschool Learning Foundations Mathematics
domain aligns with the California Common Core
State Standards for Mathematics
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Overview of Alignment
California Preschool Learning
Foundations
California Kindergarten Content
Standards
Social-Emotional Development
Health, Education Mental, Emotional,
and Social Health
Language and Literacy
English-Language Arts
English-Language Development
English-Language Development
Mathematics
Mathematics
Visual and Performing Arts
Visual and Performing Arts
Physical Development
Physical Education
Health
Health Education
History-Social Science
History-Social Science
Science
Science
Common Core State Standards
English-Language Arts
Mathematics
Source: The Alignment of the California Preschool Learning Foundations with Key Early Education Resources, CDE, 2012.
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Overview of Language and Literacy
Source: The Alignment of the California Preschool Learning Foundations with Key Early Education Resources, CDE, 2012.
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Overview of Language and Literacy
Source: The Alignment of the California Preschool Learning Foundations with Key Early Education Resources, CDE, 2012.
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2012 English Language Development (ELD)
Standards
Key Ideas
 Align with the California Common Core State Standards for English
Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical
Subjects
 Highlight and amplify the key language knowledge, skills, and
abilities in the CCSS critical for English learners to access, engage with,
and achieve in grade-level academic content while learning English
 Use in tandem with the CCSS and not in isolation
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ELD Standards:
Organization and Elements
1999 ELD Standards
2012 ELD Standards
5 proficiency levels:
Beginning, Early Intermediate,
Intermediate, Early Advanced,
and Advanced
3 proficiency levels:
Emerging, Expanding, and Bridging
Description of ELs’ abilities
within each language proficiency
level and domain (L-S-R-W)
Descriptions of what ELs can do as they enter,
progress through, and exit proficiency levels, and
early and exit descriptions for language modes
Standards for four grade-level
spans: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Standards for the same grade levels/spans as ELA
CCSS: one set for each level K-8, and spans for 910 and 11-12
Standards organized by ELA
domain: listening, speaking,
reading, and writing
Standards organized by mode (collaborative,
interpretive, productive) and learning about how
English works. Alignment with CCSS/strands is
integrated and explicitly noted
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ELD Proficiency Levels
Emerging
ELD Continuum
Expanding
Bridging
Extent of Linguistic Support
Substantial
Moderate
Light
Use appropriate scaffolding strategies
for each level of the ELD continuum
to help English learners
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Interdisciplinary Approach to Literacy
“The interdisciplinary approach to literacy …
is [based on] extensive research establishing
the need for college and career ready
students to be proficient in reading complex
informational text independently in a variety
of content areas.”
(CDE, 2013, Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, p. v)
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Integration of Language and Literacy
“…when taking an in-depth look at one domain, one
needs to keep in mind that, for young children, learning
is usually an integrated experience. For example, a
young child may be concentrating on mathematical
reasoning, but at the same time, there may be linguistic
aspects of the experience.”
Preschool Learning Foundations, Volume 1, 2008, p. xii
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The TK Learning Environment: A
Reflection of Languages, Cultures,
and Community
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The TK Learning Environment
Sample Learning Area
Reading Area (Books displayed at eye level):
 A variety of fiction & informational books with engaging illustrations and
simple text, including books in home languages representative of classroom
population
 Simple alliteration books so students can learn beginning sounds while
playing with language
 Photo albums & class books made by the students to help them connect
reading to their own lives and also support language development as children
discuss the photos and compose captions
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The TK Learning Environment
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The TK Learning Environment
Sample Learning Area
Dramatic Play Area:
 Costumes and theme-based props to engage children in hands-on,
social interactions that support language and literacy development
 Dramatic play areas are intentionally designed to:
 Support the development of oral language and vocabulary
 Provide opportunities for purposeful and playful encounters with peers
and adults
 Contribute to the print-rich environment.
 Provide sheltered opportunities for English
learners to practice their English.
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The TK Learning Environment
Children learn best when instruction is relevant and meaningful to them. When
children can apply language and literacy learning to their everyday interests and
activities, that learning will be genuine, deep, and lasting.
Source: Epstein, Intentional Teacher, 2007, p. 24
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The TK Learning Environment
Sample Learning Area
Writing Area:
 Assortment of paper, envelopes, and a variety of writing tools, including
but not limited to, pencils, pens, markers, paint, crayons, and chalk neatly
displayed along with easels for children to practice writing
 Environmental print, books, word/name cards, letter-making tools, student
name cards, and alphabet strips
 Variety of writing tools that have been adapted to provide access for all
children
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The TK Learning Environment
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Alignment between Preschool Learning
Foundations and CCSS for ELA
Source: The Alignment of the California Preschool Learning Foundations with Key Early Education Resources, CDE, 2012.
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Alignment Comparison (Cont.)
Source: The Alignment of the California Preschool Learning Foundations with Key Early Education Resources, CDE, 2012.
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ELA - Early Literacy Strategies
 Promote oral language and vocabulary development
 Extend conversations and use open-ended questions to expand
students’ language development and comprehension
 Introduce new vocabulary words using realia or concrete
examples
 Provide multiple opportunities for students to express their ideas
and use new vocabulary words in small- and large-group settings
“Young children need to be exposed to a rich and varied vocabulary and
the rules of discourse in order to develop the language facility that
underlies the late acquisition of literacy, interpersonal problemsolving skills, and other cognitive and social abilities.”
Source: Epstein, The Intentional Teacher, 2007, p.15
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ELA - Early Literacy Strategies
 Strengthen interest in print
 Environmental Print
 Food packages and coupons
 Newspapers, magazines, and catalogs
 Greeting cards and calendars
 Menus and recipes
 Connect sounds to words
 Make charts of poems
 Create word walls
 Use pointers
 Build knowledge of concepts about print
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ELA - Early Literacy Strategies
 Support writing development
 Provide multiple opportunities for fine motor development
 Provide a variety of writing instruments and materials in all
learning areas
 Model and engage students in interactive writing
 Provide opportunities for drawing, dictating, and writing
 Display students’ writing
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ELA - Early Literacy Strategies
 Support phonological awareness through:





Playful and interactive experiences to manipulate sounds
Alliteration through songs, chants, and books
Interactive opportunities to blend and segment onsets and rimes
Clapping syllables, using snapping blocks for word counts
Exposure and practice with rhyming words
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ELA - Early Literacy Strategies
 Build letter knowledge with…







Songs
Books
Poems
Name cards and common words
Letter matching activities
Tactile experiences to identify and form letters
Letter sounds tied to movement
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ELA - Early Literacy Strategies
 Read aloud books in a variety of genres
 Confirm students’ understanding of text by providing
opportunities to:
 respond to questions
 identify characters and major events
 retell familiar stories
 Provide family literacy opportunities
 create lending library including books in the child’s home
language
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Differentiating Instruction
 Provide a variety of open-ended materials to engage students in multisensory experiences
 Adapt instructional materials and learning activities to address the diverse
needs of students
 Vary the degree of scaffolding to extend learning opportunities for students
who need additional time to build competence and to increase rigor for
students who demonstrate mastery
 Use flexible grouping and various instructional formats to maximize support
for students’ individualized needs
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Strategies for English Learners
 Scaffolding:
 Make/use talking sticks and/or provide toy microphones for children who
may be more reluctant to attempt using expressive language
 Use manipulatives, realia, or photos to support vocabulary and language
development
 Move from non-verbal responses to one-two words, yes/no, frame
sentences, simple answers
 Provide clear signs and picture cues for interest areas
 Encourage families to play with language and count syllables in
songs/chants/rhymes in their home language because those skills will
transfer to English
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Universal Design for Learning
 Goal:
 Create accessible environments and experiences for all students.
 The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) model considers three principles
for learning opportunities:
 Multiple means of engagement
 Multiple means of representation
 Multiple means of expression
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Assessment Approaches
 Use multiple measures to monitor students’ progress
 Observation and anecdotal notes
 Work samples and portfolios
 Video and audio recordings
 Checklist of phonological awareness skills
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Supporting Phonological
Awareness
Play with
Language/Rime
Alliteration
RepetitiveCumulative
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Let’s Begin
Strand: Reading
Sub Strand: 2.0 Phonological Awareness
At around 48 months, the foundations for phonological awareness are
written only for older four-year olds because much of the initial development of
phonological awareness occurs between 48 months and 60 months of age
At around 60 months
 Orally blends and deletes words and syllables without the support
of pictures or objects
 Orally blends the onsets, rimes, and phonemes of words and orally
deletes the onsets of words, with support of pictures or objects
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Let’s Practice
 Review Sub Strand: 2.0 Phonological Awareness (at
around 60 months)
 Review Common Core State Standard for ELA
Phonological Awareness
Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds
(phonemes)
 Recognize and produce rhyming words
 Count, pronounce, blend, and segment syllables in spoken words
 Blend and segment onsets and rimes of single-syllable spoken words
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Let’s Practice
 Create a lesson that would differentiate for all the
learners in your TK classroom. Be sure to include
strategies to support English learners and children
with disabilities
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Resources
TK Online Resources
The Alignment of the California Preschool Learning Foundations
with Key Early Education Resources
California County Superintendents Educational Service
Association (CCSESA)
Information and resources for early education are posted on the
CCSESA Web site under
School Readiness
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Planning Guide – A Resource for
Administrators of California Public School Districts
California Department of Education (CDE)
Kindergarten in California
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/documents/psalignment.pdf
http://www.ccsesa.org/index/sp_prek.cfm
http://www.ccsesa.org/index/documents/TransitionalKinderg
artenGuide-webversion.pdf
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/em/
Transitional Kindergarten FAQs
Transitional Kindergarten Implementation Guide
California Kindergarten Association
An association to support kindergarten teachers
http://www.californiakindergartenassociation.org/transitiona
l-kindergarten/
California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN)
CPIN, funded by CDE, conducts professional development on CDE
publications such as the Preschool Learning Foundations, Preschool http://www.cpin.us
Curriculum Framework and Preschool English Learners Guide
Changing the Kindergarten Cutoff Date: Effects on California
Students and Schools
Cannon, J. S. and Lipscomb, S.
www.ppic.org/content/pubs/op/OP_508JCOP.pdf
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Resources
TK Online Resources
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Resources to promote Developmentally Appropriate Practice
(DAP)
Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 1, 2, and 3
Aligned with the foundations, the curriculum framework provides
guidance on planning learning environments and experiences for
young children
Preschool English Learners: Principles and Practices to Promote
Language, Literacy, and Learning
A resource guide to educate preschool English learners
www.naeyc.org/DAP
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/documents/psframeworkkv
ol1.pdf
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/documents/psframeworkvol
2.pdf
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/documents/preschoolframe
workvol3.pdf
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/documents/psenglearnerse
d2.pdf
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/documents/preschoollf.pdf
Preschool Learning Foundations, Volume 1, 2, and 3
The foundations for preschool-age children identify key domains
of learning and guide instructional practice
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) California
Online resources to support the successful implementation of
transitional kindergarten
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/documents/psfoundationsv
ol2.pdf
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/documents/preschoolfound
ationsvol3.pdf
http://www.tkcalifornia.org/
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Questions?
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Thank You
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