Early Literacy Learning Model: Literacy-Rich Environments

Distance Learning Events brought to you by the Center for Early Literacy Learning

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What is this CELL distance learning event?

• This distance learning event focuses on literacy-rich environments, which are one component of the early literacy learning model

• The purpose of this distance learning event is to share information about: – The components of a literacy-rich environment– Embedding materials across a literacy-rich environment– Creating low-cost literacy-rich environments

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Pause and think about literacy-rich environments before you proceed!

• What does a literacy-rich environment look like?• What kinds of materials would be in a literacy-

rich environment?• How could you use the same types of materials

in different activities or learning centers? • Click here to read or listen to CELL’s responses

to these questions.• Proceed through the distance learning event

with these responses in mind.

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Introduce: What are literacy-rich environments?

• They are the contexts in which children engage in interest-based everyday literacy activities

• They stimulate children to participate in language and literacy activities

• They are in classrooms, homes, and many other places around the community

• They are interesting, inviting, comfortable and well stocked with easily accessible materials

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Introduce: What are the components of a literacy-rich environment?

• Classroom and home-based literacy-rich environments generally include:– Learning centers in a classroom or areas that provide

opportunities for early literacy learning – Print, reading, and writing materials– Other materials to support literacy learning

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Illustrate: Classroom Environments

• Classroom settings often have a variety of learning centers or areas that can provide opportunities for literacy learning:– Indoors: greeting area, reading center, writing center,

dramatic play center, computer center, art center, block center, music center, science center, snack/eating area, bathroom area

– Outdoors: climbing structure, swings, sandbox, water table, field trips/walks, library visits

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Illustrate: Home Environments

• Homes also contain a number of areas that can provide opportunities for early literacy learning:– Indoors: entry area, living room, dining room, kitchen,

pantry, bedroom, home office, basement, bathroom, garage

– Outdoors: yard, driveway/pavement, outdoor play areas, library visits, shopping, riding in the car/bus

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Illustrate: Materials

• Print materials

• Reading materials

• Writing materials – Utensils – Surfaces

• Click here for a list of print, reading, and writing materials

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Illustrate: Other Materials to Support Literacy Learning

• Electronic materials

• Props

• Click here for a list of other materials to support literacy learning

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Illustrate: Embedding Materialsin Functional Ways

• Focus on embedding materials throughout the environment in functional and natural ways

• Functional use of materials means that children use the materials for a specific purpose

• For example: – Use paper and pencils to write a thank-you note– Use the telephone book to look up a number and

make a phone call– Cut out pictures of food items from store flyers to

make a shopping list

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Illustrate: Creating Low Cost Literacy-Rich Environments

• You can create a literacy-rich environment using many low cost alternatives including:– Re-use cleaned household item packages with

printed labels– Collect discards and recyclables from local

businesses– Use materials that come in the mail – Collect free samples– Request donations of materials– Seek out free/low-cost books or materials on the web

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Practice: Identify Literacy-Rich Environments

• Watch the Making Room for Literacy video by clicking here

• What characteristics of a literacy-rich environment did you notice in the activities shown in the video?

• Pick one of the activities shown in the video and answer these questions:– What was the learning center or area in the home in

which the activity occurred?– What materials were embedded in the learning center?– Which materials were low-cost?– How were the materials used in functional ways?

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Practice: Identify Literacy-Rich Environments

• Do you want more practice on identifying literacy-rich environments?

• We have developed additional practices!

• You can click here to access the additional practices for home visitors or practitioners.

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Evaluate: Identifying Literacy-Rich Environments

• Submit your examples to our discussion board by clicking here

• Think about these questions: (1)What literacy activities could the children do in these learning centers/areas?; and, (2) How could you acquire some of the low-cost materials that were shown?

• Do you have any questions about the practice exercises? Please submit them to our discussion board by clicking here

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Reflect: Literacy-Rich Environments

• We strongly encourage you to reflect on the information you have learned in this distance learning event

• Reflecting assists you to determine your level of knowledge and the outcome of your practice

• To help you reflect about literacy-rich environments, print and complete the checklist located on our tools page located here

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Literacy-Rich Environments

Everyday Literacy Activities

Early Literacy

Outcome Indicators

Responsive Teaching

Child Interests

CELL Early Literacy Learning Model: Bringing It All Together

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Thank you!

• Thank you for accessing this CELL distance learning event!

• We value your feedback! Please provide it to us by clicking on this link

• Remember to access other CELL distance learning events!

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