PSELA2c: Teaches children to use syntactic, semantic, and grapho-phonemic cues to identify and spell words
Evidence 1: Building Blocks for Literacy, Sterns Center, 2014
Description: Building Blocks offers research-based strategies derived from recommendations of the National Research Council and National Early Literacy Panel into preschool and childcare settings which include phonological awareness, language development including vocabulary, shared book reading and speech-to-print connection including alphabet knowledge and early writing.
Analysis: In this workshop, participants learned the definitions of syntax, semantics and grapho-phonemic. We also spent time brainstorming ways in which we use these tools in our classrooms on a daily basis. For instance, in my classroom while reading a book we might stumble upon a word that is unfamiliar. By using the text and illustrations as a guide, children brainstorm until they discover the meaning of the word (semantics).
Evidence 2: Transcript of Conversation Sounding Out a Word with a Preschool Student
Description: While writing his name on a drawing, a preschooler asked me to assist him in spelling his name.
Analysis: Never before have I had a group of preschoolers that have been so interested in word formation, as I do this school year. We spend a fair amount of time throughout our days attempting to figure out the relationship between certain letters and their accompanying sounds. As we continue to learn about sounds made by each letter and practice articulating those sounds, the preschool children will become better prepared to break words down, discriminate sounds heard and begin their own process of spelling and reading.
