Early Childhood Best Practices
in Literacy Development
Essential Question:
How does early literacy research and
instructional standards enhance literacy
development?
EC Literacy Development
Professional Learning Goals
Participants will:
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Discuss classroom strategies that will help students be
successful in kindergarten and beyond
Practice effective instructional routines
Evaluate their own curriculum in comparison to
Treasures’ scope and sequence
Grouping for Instruction
Schedule of your literacy block
What is your school doing now?
What concerns do you have for the children?
How long for whole group time?
What about transitioning to small groups?
Is your current practice developmentally
appropriate- are you considering your
children's needs and abilities when you plan
your instructional time?
Grouping for Instruction
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Key instructional opportunities:
◦ Whole group
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Involve all students
Model expectations
Introduce new information
Review previously taught concepts
Grouping for Instruction
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Key instructional opportunities:
◦ Small group
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All students actively engaged
Majority of teaching occurs at this time
Individual needs met
Students are more likely to participate
Individual assessments possible
Grouping for Instruction
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Key instructional opportunities:
◦ Independent work
 Allows time for students to practice new skills and
concepts
 Students take responsibility for learning
 Students plan their learning goals
Grouping for Instruction
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Resources provided to EC Leaders in
previous years:
◦ The Daily 5- Fostering Literacy Independence in
the Elementary Grades- Gail Boushey and Joan
Moser, Stenhouse Publishers
◦ Literacy Work Stations- Making Centers Work –
Debbie Diller , Stenhouse Publishers
Grouping for Instruction
Work with a partner to complete the
hand out: Grouping for Instruction
 Share out with whole group
 Read Handout- Differentiated InstructionGrouping for Success Use the Say Something protocol for
discussion
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Instructional Routines
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High Frequency Words
◦ Explicit teaching of high frequency wordsHandout
◦ Treasures High Frequency Words instructional
routine –Handout
◦ Practice instructional routine with a partner
◦ Comparison of words from DRA 2 and
Treasures- Handout
Instructional Routines
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Robust Vocabulary –
◦ Importance of explicitly teaching Tier 2 words
◦ Example using Dr DeSoto by William Steig
 How to add vocabulary- handout
 Share out- other books and vocabulary words you
teach
◦ Treasures Robust Vocabulary Instructional
Routine - handout
◦ Practice routine
Instructional Routines
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Comprehension Strategies and
Skills
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Comprehension strategies adults use
Definition of a strategy
Definition of a skill
Treasures Comprehension Instructional
Routine- handout
◦ Discuss similarities and differences from what
you currently do
Transitions that Teach
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Revisit handout- Grouping for Instruction
◦ Discuss current routines and transitions.
◦ How do they reinforce learning for the
students?
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Share ideas and suggestions
Scope and Sequence Review
Compare the handout on Scope and
Sequence of Instruction for Treasures to
what you are currently teaching
 Are there gaps or overlapping areas in
your curriculum?
 What changes should you consider as a
grade level to better prepare your
students for success in the coming years?
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