Curriculum planning: Literature

Why Read to Children? It develops an appreciation for books and promotes literacy as a source of enjoyment Reading to children helps increase vocabulary and language Reading promotes phonological awareness Reading aloud helps children to gain knowledge of print Phonological awareness examples: listening, rhyming, alliteration, sentences and words, syllables, and phonemic awareness

Why Read to Children? Reading aloud helps children understand that letters can be grouped together to form words and that words have meaning The languages of books is different from the language of conversations Interactions between adults and children before, during, and after a text is read aloud help children develop comprehension skills

How to Begin Choose good books to read aloud Plan for small groups, large groups, and one-on-one reading Establish regular times for reading aloud Judge the appropriate amount of time to allow Create a physical space where children will be comfortable

Characteristics of a Good Book to Read Aloud The adult reader enjoys it The topic is already or likely to be of interest to the children It is a good match for the children’s developmental level It relates to the children’s experiences and interests A familiar and favorite author wrote it The story illustrations introduce new family and cultural experiences It is a well-loved favorite that children like hearing again and again New information and ideas are presented through text and pictures

Consider These Questions How long will it take to read? Can the children pay attentions for that length of time? Will any concepts or ideas be unfamiliar to the children? How can I explain them? Do the illustrations have tiny details or hidden surprises to point out to the children?

Consider These Questions How can I make sound effects and gestures part of the reading? What props would enhance the reading? How can I invite the children to participate? Can they rhyme, join in with the last word of repetitive phrases, predict what might happen next, or answer questions?

Effective Ways to Read Aloud Practice reading the book before you read it aloud to children Become familiar with the language, characters, and plot Write questions and reminders on post-it-notes

Plan Your Introduction Tell the children how and where to sit Start the reading by giving children a reason to listen Gain their attention, read the cover, etc. Share an object that is an important part of the story Explain how the book relates to the theme or topic we are studying

Strategies During the Story Hold the book to one side so the children can see the pictures Use your voice and facial expressions to make the characters come alive Change or define words to help children understand the story Stop to talk about the pictures, answer questions, and discuss what might happen next Answer questions directly related to the book and save other questions for later

Strategies During the Story Run your finger under the text Pause at the end of sentences Invite children to join in with repeated and predictable words, phrases and rhymes Discuss interesting words and ask what the children think they mean Repeat words that rhyme or have sounds like those found in other words the children know

After Reading Discuss various aspects of the story or invite children to participate in follow up activities Ask the children to react to or share their opinions of the story Briefly summarize the story (characters, setting, theme, plot, and resolution) Continue to help the children make connections between the story events or characters and their own lives Discuss or clarify new words introduced in the story Encourage the children to respond to the story through drawing, writing, construction, or retelling Plan a story stretcher

Activity Find a story that you would consider reading to preschool children Read through the story to familiarize yourself with the characters, plot, etc. On a sheet of paper, explain how you would introduce the story to the children Next, for each page of the story, explain what you would explain and/or what questions you would ask the children (you will need to have one for each page! Finally, explain one way to engage children after your story