Teaching Methods

On this tab you will see methods for introducing literacy to children. For the little ones, there are methods to introduce reading. For the older kids, there are methods to increase fluency and comprehension.

Birth to Age Three

Method 1~ Print Rich Environments

Having a literacy rich classroom environment is an easy addition to a classroom. Including various books that cover many subjects can allow students to explore their interests as they begin to figure themselves out! Early exposure to literature allows students to pick up on the world around them.

Examples~ Classroom library, labels around the room, alphabet displays

Benefits~ Students will first and foremost have early exposure to literature, which will allow them to be comfortable with the idea of reading and books in general. Print rich environments can also promote diversity in the classroom. Students will have many opportunities to learn about other students who may be different from them. Finally, this environment allows for easy access to books. Not all students have access to books at home, so incorporating them in the classroom can allow them to have literary experiences.

The Access Center. (n.d.). Literacy-rich environments. Reading Rockets. https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/classroom-management/articles/literacy-rich-environments

Method 2~ Read Alouds

Teachers should incorporate story time into their school days. It allows students to enjoy a story, while also practicing listening and comprehension skills. Even if students are not in preschool yet, it still allows for young children to listen and find books that interest them, so that someone can read to them!

Examples~ Interactive story times, audio books, retelling, predictions

Benefits~ Having read alouds in school or at home allows for children to gain vocabulary. For the infants, they can hear the words, while toddlers can repeat the words and know them for their own use. Children can also learn expressive language from reading out loud. Utilizing punctuation, children can pick up on the tone and mood of a story. Finally, comprehension skills are being practiced. Remembering details, listening, and asking questions are signs that a child is understanding the story being read to them.

McGee, L. M., & Schikedanz, J. (n.d.). Repeated interactive read Alouds in preschool and kindergarten. Reading Rockets. https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/comprehension/articles/repeated-interactive-read-alouds-preschool-and-kindergarten

Method 3~Motivation to Engage in Literary Experiences

Sometimes kids do not want to read or listen to a book. It is our jobs as parents and educators to work with children to get them excited about reading! Motivating children to participate and engage can make a difference when it comes to reading and comprehension skills.

Examples~ Allowing the child to choose a book, choosing a subject, incentives

Benefits~ Allowing children to choose the story that they read or is read to them can give them a sense of self. By being able to pick something that appeals to them, they are more likely to get excited about reading. Giving children a choice can also allow them to be more confident in their own skills. By working on what they want, they will feel more comfortable. Finally, rewarding a child for reading can make them want to read more. Positive reinforcement can lead to more successes!

McRae, A., & Guthrie, J. T. (n.d.). Teacher practices that impact reading motivation. Reading Rockets. https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/motivation/articles/teacher-practices-impact-reading-motivation

Age Four to Age Six

Method 1~ Listening Comprehension

Listening and reading comprehension methods are vital when teaching children to read. Without comprehension, reading just doesn't make sense!

Examples~ Utilizing background knowledge, summarizing, visualizing

Benefits~ Through using different methods for comprehension, students can create schemas in their minds. A schema is simply a category of knowledge within a student's mind. For example, a student could create a schema of four legged animals. Reading comprehension also leads to connections being made. Allowing students to relate their reading to their personal life gets them more involved in the reading process! Last, comprehension allows students to remember key details. By understanding the story, they are more likely to remember characters, plot, settings, and more elements of the story.

Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Basics: Reading comprehension. https://www.readingrockets.org/reading-101/reading-and-writing-basics/reading-comprehension

Method 2~ Literacy Circles

Literacy circles are a great way to split up a large reading for students. By assigning roles to each student and putting them in groups to discuss their roles and their findings, they are more likely to comprehend the text!

Examples~ Word Wizard, Creative Connector, Super Summarizer

Benefits~ Using literacy circles in the classroom has many benefits. One benefit is that is weighs heavily on teamwork. With students working together, they can solve problems and help each other. Second, literacy circles create goals. Each student has their own role with an individual goal, but all together, their team has the goal of mastering their reading. Lastly, literacy circles allow for deep understanding. Since each student in the circle becomes an expert in their role, it assures that key details are not missed!

Twinkl. (n.d.). What are literature circles? https://www.twinkl.com/teaching-wiki/literature-circles

Method 3~ Phonics Instruction

Incorporating phonics instruction into language arts is extremely beneficial. It allows for students to work on their reading skills as well as to find weak spots that can be worked on!

Examples~ Phonics through spelling (segmenting and selecting letters), synthetic phonics (converting letters to sounds and blending), analogy phonics (using familiar words as a reference)

Benefits~ Phonics instruction leads to phonemic awareness. When students are aware and understanding of letters, sounds, and words, they are able to read on their own a little easier! Phonics instruction also leads to blending skills. This allows students to read smoothly with more fluency. Lastly, phonics instruction helps students decode unfamiliar words. By understanding the basis of words (letters, sounds, prefixes, suffixes) students are more likely to be able to figure out an unknown word on their own!

National Reading Panel. (n.d.). Phonics instruction. Reading Rockets. https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/phonics-and-decoding/articles/phonics-instruction