PSELA4b: Provides multiple opportunities for beginning writers to learn that print carries meaning (e.g., by demonstrating for children the connections between their illustrations and words), to use writing purposefully, and to explore sound-symbol relations
Evidence 1: Willoby Walloby Woo
Description: The highlighted portion of this documents a song that we sing each day at the end of Morning Meeting.
Analysis: Each day at the end of Morning Meeting, one child will choose an alphabet flashcard. I will show the card to the children and ask them to raise their hands if they know what the letter is. On the count of three all children will say the letter out loud. I will then ask if any one knows the sound that the letter makes. We will spend time saying and repeating the sound made by the letter. Children will then take turns saying words that begin with that letter. These words are written on a card and placed on our classroom word wall. This portion of our daily routine has expanded into other portions of our day. As children are playing or eating, they will continue to explore sound-symbol relationships as they discover new words to add to our collection.
Evidence 2: Photograph of Museum of Preschool Art (MoPA)
Description: When children complete art work, a description of what has been created is written. The art work is then framed and hung in our Museum of Preschool Art with the description hanging next to it.
Analysis: As children are working on pieces of art, I will ask them to tell me about the item that they are working on. I will then frame their work, type or write their description, and add the piece to our Museum of Preschool Art. Children can also choose to add pieces to their classroom portfolios or take them home to share with their families. Children enjoy seeing their work displayed in the classroom, and also like to point at the words next to their art work and tell others what it says.
Evidence 3: Photograph of Word Wall
Description: The purpose of one wall in our classroom is to house all of the new words that we learn while at school. There is a basket with 3x5 index cards, tape and markers located on a table near the wall, and every time we hear a new word while reading we write it on a card and place it under the appropriate beginning letter.
Analysis: Our Word Wall contains words that the preschoolers have connected with certain letters throughout our day. Some words come from singing "Willoby Walloby Woo" during Morning Meeting, while others are discovered while playing or eating. We will also add words to our wall while we are engaged in shared book reading. Children might stumble across a word that they are unsure of. After determining it's definition, repeating the word and trying to connect it to our own experiences, we will write it on a card and add it to our word wall.
