creating a literate environment
A literate environment plays an important role in literacy education. A literate environment consists of various forms of print and reading materials (i.e. books, magazines, child-created reading, posters, labels, pictures, phonetic games, and technology-based). These materials should be representative of the interests, backgrounds, cultures, and abilities of the students who use them. Students need this broad range of materials to allow them an exploration of their individual preferences.
When educators engage students in using these materials by modeling and sharing with them in enthusiastic ways, students are motivated by the joy of reading and writing (i.e. read with silly voices, incorporate movement, find ways to involve students stories, think alouds). When students have an active role in creating reading materials for the classroom, they feel a sense of pride and accountability in reading and sharing them (i.e. creating class books, projects created for display, etc.)
In addition to providing this immersion in reading and writing, students need adequate time to explore and digest the materials and instruction. They need time to think, discuss, practice, and reflect to further their learning.
When educators engage students in using these materials by modeling and sharing with them in enthusiastic ways, students are motivated by the joy of reading and writing (i.e. read with silly voices, incorporate movement, find ways to involve students stories, think alouds). When students have an active role in creating reading materials for the classroom, they feel a sense of pride and accountability in reading and sharing them (i.e. creating class books, projects created for display, etc.)
In addition to providing this immersion in reading and writing, students need adequate time to explore and digest the materials and instruction. They need time to think, discuss, practice, and reflect to further their learning.