Use a School Readiness Activity to provide early literacy thinking experiences for preschool children that will prepare them to do well in the early grades.
Grades:
Creating Words for a Picture Book
Purpose/SkillsTo understand that words can be created for a picture book
Materials
Large self-stick notes, pen
Literature Suggestion
Read any appealing, wordless picture book.
Vocabulary
pictures
words
story
next
Warm-Up
- Remind children that most books have words and pictures.
- Introduce a wordless book to the group and "read" it together.
- Encourage children to talk about what´s happening in the story, and ask questions like: What do you think he might say when that happens?
Procedure
- Place large sticky notes across the top or bottom of each page, wherever there´s room.
- Explain to children that today, they are going to write the words toa story. As a group, go through the story again. Ask children what words they think might go on each page and write the words on the sticky notes. Remind children that the words should tell the story of what is happening in the pictures.
- Encourage all children to participate in dictating the story to you.
- When you have finished writing words for the story, go back to the beginning and read the story to the group.
- Tip: It doesn´t matter if the story reads smoothly. Children will be excited about hearing their own words read from the book.
Organize the group into partners. Encourage children to "read" some favorite picture books to one another.
Observation Assessment
- Proficient - Child understands that books communicate using both pictures and words, and is able to contribute meaningfully to tell a story.
- In Process - Child understands that books tell stories, but is unable to contribute meaningfully to the story.
- Not Yet Ready - Child does not yet understand that the words and pictures work together to tell a story, and does not participate in the storytelling.
