Reading & Language Arts: VPK Resources

V.A.1 Shows motivation for reading

• Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Getting Ready to Read! http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/homeactivities.pdf

  Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Getting Ready to Read!

  [Español] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-sp/homeactivities-sp.pdf [Polish] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-pol/homeactivities-pol.pdf

  Help your child to build knowledge, skills, and habits he or she needs to become a reader and writer later on.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.1.a
  • V.A.1.b
  • V.A.1.c
• Getting Ready to Read and Write in Child Care http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/litenviron.pdf

  Getting Ready to Read and Write in Child Care

  [Español] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-sp/litenviron-sp.pdf [Polish] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-pol/litenviron-pol.pdf

  Simple ideas for creating a literacy environment.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.1.a
  • V.A.1.b
  • V.A.1.c
• Literacy across the Preschool Curriculum http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/literacy.pdf

  Literacy across the Preschool Curriculum

  

  Children see many uses for reading when print materials are included in the play environment in meaningful ways.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.1.a
  • V.A.1.b
  • V.A.1.c
• Sharing Books with Your Preschooler http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/bookspreschooler.pdf

  Sharing Books with Your Preschooler

  [Español] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-sp/bookspreschooler-sp.pdf [Polish] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-pol/bookspreschooler-pol.pdf

  Children become motivated and learn about reading and writing when adults share books with them.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.1.a
  • V.A.1.b
  • V.A.1.c
• Things to Do while You’re Waiting: Language and Literacy http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/languageandlit.pdf

  Things to Do while You’re Waiting: Language and Literacy

  [Español] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-sp/languageandlit-sp.pdf [Polish] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-pol/langlit-pol.pdf

  Playful learning activities can help reduce children’s impatience when they have to wait.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.1.a
  • V.A.1.b
  • V.A.1.c
• Get Ready To Read! Activities http://www.getreadytoread.org/content/view/92/95/

  Get Ready To Read! Activities

  

  This link features online animated games for children and activity cards to bring literacy activities into everyday life. Literacy checklists for the classroom and home are also available in English and Spanish.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.1.a
  • V.A.1.b
  • V.A.1.c

V.A.2 Shows age-appropriate phonological awareness

• Compound Words - 1

  Compound Words - 1

  

  A VPK teacher reads a book with compound words.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.2.a
• Syllable Segmentation - 1

  Syllable Segmentation - 1

  

  A VPK teacher explains and demonstrates an activity called Junk Box Rock to help children with syllable segmentation.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.2.b
• Initial Sounds

  Initial Sounds

  

  A VPK teacher teaches children about initial sounds in words that match or don't match, in a group setting.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.2.d
• Put Reading First Booklet http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/PFRbooklet.pdf

  Put Reading First Booklet

  

  This guide, designed by teachers for teachers, covers the following areas: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. Each section defines the skill, reviews the evidence from research, suggests implications for classroom instruction, describes proven strategies for teaching reading skills, and addresses frequently raised questions.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.2.a
  • V.A.2.b
  • V.A.2.c
  • V.A.2.d
• Children's Learning Institute Web site, Literacy Components – Phonological Awareness http://www.childrenslearninginstitute.org/our-programs/program-overview/CIRCLE/literacy-components/phonological.html

  Children's Learning Institute Web site, Literacy Components – Phonological Awareness

  

  This webpage overviews phonological awareness' importance and shows levels of phonological awareness.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.2.a
  • V.A.2.b
  • V.A.2.c
  • V.A.2.d

V.A.3 Shows alphabetic knowledge

• Learning Letter Names

  Learning Letter Names

  

  A VPK teacher shares and demonstrates how she teaches about alphabet letters through singing, vocabulary building, and working with playdough.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.3.a
• Using Children's Names

  Using Children's Names

  

  A VPK teacher uses children’s names to learn and review initial letters during group time.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.3.a
  • V.A.3.b
• Using a Picture Word Wall

  Using a Picture Word Wall

  

  A VPK teacher explains and demonstrates how she uses a picture word wall to help children with letter names and vocabulary building.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.3.a
• Put Reading First Booklet http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/PFRbooklet.pdf

  Put Reading First Booklet

  

  This guide, designed by teachers for teachers, covers the following areas: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. Each section defines the skill, reviews the evidence from research, suggests implications for classroom instruction, describes proven strategies for teaching reading skills, and addresses frequently raised questions.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.3.a
  • V.A.3.b
  • V.A.3.c
  • V.A.3.d
• Things to Do while You’re Waiting: Language and Literacy http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/languageandlit.pdf

  Things to Do while You’re Waiting: Language and Literacy

  [Español] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-sp/languageandlit-sp.pdf [Polish] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-pol/langlit-pol.pdf

  Playful learning activities can help reduce children’s impatience when they have to wait.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.3.a
  • V.A.3.b
• Children's Learning Institute Web site, Literacy Components - Letter Knowledge http://www.childrenslearninginstitute.org/our-programs/program-overview/CIRCLE/literacy-components/letter-knowledge.html

  Children's Learning Institute Web site, Literacy Components - Letter Knowledge

  

  This page outlines the major components of letter knowledge and gives some strategies for teachers to use.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.3.a
  • V.A.3.b
  • V.A.3.c
  • V.A.3.d

IV.C.1 Shows an understanding of words and their meanings

• Using a Picture Word Wall

  Using a Picture Word Wall

  

  A VPK teacher explains and demonstrates how she uses a picture word wall to help children with letter names and vocabulary building.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • IV.C.1.a

IV.C.2 Uses an expanded vocabulary to describe many objects, actions, and events

• Reading Informational Text

  Reading Informational Text

  

  A VPK teacher reads an informational text (non-fiction) to his students to build and expand the children's conceptual knowledge and vocabulary.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • IV.C.2.a
  • IV.C.2.b

V.A.4 Shows understanding of text read aloud

• Story Retelling

  Story Retelling

  

  A VPK teacher explains and the students model how a story can be retold in many ways.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.4.a
• Reading Informational Text

  Reading Informational Text

  

  A VPK teacher reads an informational text (non-fiction) to his students to build and expand the children's conceptual knowledge and vocabulary.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.4.a
• Put Reading First Booklet http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/PFRbooklet.pdf

  Put Reading First Booklet

  

  This guide, designed by teachers for teachers, covers the following areas: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. Each section defines the skill, reviews the evidence from research, suggests implications for classroom instruction, describes proven strategies for teaching reading skills, and addresses frequently raised questions.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.4.a
  • V.A.4.b
• Getting Ready to Read and Write in Child Care http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/litenviron.pdf

  Getting Ready to Read and Write in Child Care

  [Español] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-sp/litenviron-sp.pdf [Polish] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-pol/litenviron-pol.pdf

  Simple ideas for creating a literacy environment.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.4.a
• Sharing Books with Your Preschooler http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/bookspreschooler.pdf

  Sharing Books with Your Preschooler

  [Español] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-sp/bookspreschooler-sp.pdf [Polish] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-pol/bookspreschooler-pol.pdf

  Children become motivated and learn about reading and writing when adults share books with them.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.4.a
  • V.A.4.b
• Things to Do while You’re Waiting: Language and Literacy http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/languageandlit.pdf

  Things to Do while You’re Waiting: Language and Literacy

  [Español] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-sp/languageandlit-sp.pdf [Polish] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-pol/langlit-pol.pdf

  Playful learning activities can help reduce children’s impatience when they have to wait.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.4.a
• Using Predictable Books with Young Children http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/predictable.pdf

  Using Predictable Books with Young Children

  [Español] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-sp/predictable-sp.pdf [Polish] http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets-pol/predictable-pol.pdf

  Predictable books feature patterns, sequences, and connections that enable children to guess “what comes next” in the story.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.4.b
• Children's Learning Institute Web site, Literacy Components – Read Aloud http://www.childrenslearninginstitute.org/our-programs/program-overview/CIRCLE/literacy-components/read-aloud.html

  Children's Learning Institute Web site, Literacy Components – Read Aloud

  

  This webpage overviews the importance of reading aloud and gives examples of types of questions to ask during read alouds to help children's listening comprehension grow.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

  Related Benchmarks:

  • V.A.4.a
  • V.A.4.b

General Resources

• Literacy Essentials and Reading Network http://www.justreadflorida.com/LEaRN/

  Literacy Essentials and Reading Network

  

  The Literacy Essentials and Reading Network (LEaRN) is a free website for principals, reading coaches, and classroom teachers to access scientifically based reading instruction implemented in classrooms through video clips.

  More Detail
  Designed to immediately answer questions teachers pose about the best instructional practices in teaching reading, LEaRN provides:
  

  • Scientifically-based reading research on the five essential components of reading as identified in the National Reading Panel Report;
  • Reading instructional strategies based on research;
  • Assessment approaches that are aligned with reading research;
  • Video examples and lesson plans depicting research-based teaching strategies in real classrooms;
  • Video of experts' commentary on research-based teaching strategies; and
  • An accessible reference system of research based practices available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  Source: LEaRN

• www.FloridaStandards.org http://www.floridastandards.org/index.aspx

  www.FloridaStandards.org

  

  This is the official Florida K-12 Standards Web site. This site is the home of the approved new Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and course descriptions for grades K-12.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

• Reading Intervention Curriculum (PDF) http://www.justreadflorida.com/docs/manual.pdf

  Reading Intervention Curriculum (PDF)

  

  Whether reading mentors or classroom teachers, this curriculum is a great guide that includes an overview of current reading research and weekly lessons for intermediate struggling readers.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

• Just Read, Florida! http://www.justreadflorida.com/educators.asp

  Just Read, Florida!

  

  The Just Read, Florida! Web site offers high quality professional development opportunities for teachers, reading coaches, and principals.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

• Florida Department of Education, Office of Early Learning http://www.fldoe.org/earlylearning/resource.asp

  Florida Department of Education, Office of Early Learning

  

  The Department of Education/Office of Early Learning (DOE/OEL) works in collaboration with the Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to implement the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education program.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

• Sample Lesson Plans Based on the Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Standards http://www.fldoe.org/earlylearning/plans.asp

  Sample Lesson Plans Based on the Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Standards

  

  These lesson plans, based on the Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Standards, are designed to help develop the skills that four-year-old children should know and be able to do by the end of their prekindergarten year. The lesson plans are organized under the targeted VPK Education Standards that are included in each plan. Related VPK Education Standards are also included in each lesson plan to show prekindergarten administrators and teachers how one lesson can be easily integrated across the domains of the VPK Education Standards.

  More Detail
  

  Source:

• VPK Teacher Toolkit http://www.flvpkonline.org/teacherToolkit/

  VPK Teacher Toolkit

  

  This toolkit is designed to meet the needs of directors, teachers, assistants, and parents to support early learning in the VPK classroom. All the information included in these folders aligns with the VPK Education Standards. This toolkit may also guide decisions about professional development activities identified by directors or literacy coaches.

  More Detail
  

  Source: