1. Chapter 9 Using Rating Scales to Look at Literacy
“A fair assessment of any child cannot be
gathered with any one recording instrument
on any one day.”
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RATING SCALES
Rating scale – Description of criteria in a graduated horizontal position (also called a rubric)
Quality points – The steps along the way to desired competence (also called benchmarks)
Closed method – No details recorded
Selective method – Only noting specific actions, tasks, behaviors
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3. Uses of the Rating Scale
Advantages
Fast, convenient
More choices than a checklist
See skills advancing along a continuum
Revisited over time to see progress
Disadvantages
Details lost
Selective and subjective
Not useful for spontaneous events
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Rating Scale
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LOOKING AT LITERACY
Literacy Development
Print-rich environment – Reading opportunities are all around
Emergent literacy – Everyday experiences
Babies and books – Early is good
Reading to preschoolers – Involves all areas of development
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Types of Books
Story books
Nonfiction books
Wordless books
Interaction books
Concept books
Predictable books
Reference books
Alphabet and word books
Novelty books
Paperbacks and magazines
Teacher- and child-made books
Therapeutic books
Seasonal and holiday books
Books with audio tapes
Infant-toddler books
Multicultural books
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7. Phonological Awareness
Attention to sounds of spoken language
Matching sounds
Blending sounds
Rhyming
Counting parts of words (syllables)
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8. Play/Literacy Connection
Play provides opportunities to promote literacy skills
Language experiences in play build between oral and written communication
Opportunities to use literacy in real-life ways
Play/Literacy impacts and is impacted by all domains of development
Play themes with literacy are opportunities for social emotional expression
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9. TOPICS IN OBSERVATION: Books in the Sandbox
Placing books and print materials throughout the environment:
Sandbox/Water table
Dramatic play area
Block area
Art area
Science/Math area
Outdoors
Bathroom
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10. Observing Infants and Toddlers with Books
Giving listening and visual attention to book
Sensory experiences of touching, smelling, and tasting
Lengthening memory and attention span
Re-telling story from pictures
Giving attention to the printed words on the page
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11. Reading and Writing Development
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Young Children Write
Stages of Writing
Scribbling – Random marks
Drawing – Organized into circles
Making letters – Capitals
Invented spelling – Phonetic or by pattern
Organizing print – Names on work
Dictation – Seeing spoken word in print
Backward letters – Experimentation, early writing
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13. Helping All Children with Literacy
Physical Disabilities
Adaptations
Learning Disabilities
English Language Learners
Literacy in first language
Materials, books in first language
Helping Professionals
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14. Standard Related to Literacy
Standards for Reading Professionals (International Reading Association)
4.3 Model reading and writing enthusiastically as valued lifelong activities.
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