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Encouraging children to write about their experiences, thoughts, and ideas, developing writing skills and self-expression.

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Collaborating with children to create stories or class projects, building writing confidence and teamwork.

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Guiding children in crafting their own stories, enhancing creativity and narrative writing abilities.

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Pairing older and younger children to read together, promoting peer learning and reading fluency.

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Creating inviting reading areas with a variety of books, promoting a love for reading and exploration.

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Engaging children in reading sessions with educators, encouraging active participation and comprehension.

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Providing opportunities for children to share their experiences and ideas, enhancing oral communication.

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Allowing children to engage in dramatic play, encouraging language use and communication with peers.

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Incorporating fun and interactive games that expand children's vocabulary and language skills.

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Engaging children in interactive conversations about various topics, promoting language development.

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Encouraging children to share and narrate their own stories, fostering language expression and creativity.

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In our literacy program, engaging literacy instruction is seamlessly embedded throughout the day, creating a language-rich environment that fosters continuous learning. During circle time, educators captivate children's imagination with interactive read-alouds, encouraging discussions, predictions, and reflections to deepen comprehension and vocabulary skills. Outdoor play provides further opportunities for literacy exploration, as children engage with literacy-related materials and incorporate language into their imaginative play narratives. Story sessions, like Aidan's Dragon Tale, allow children to express their creativity through storytelling and drawing. Access to a variety of books and writing materials throughout the day promotes spontaneous reading and writing experiences. By incorporating the arts as a means for children to explore and communicate their learning, our literacy program nurtures creativity and enhances language expression. This comprehensive approach empowers children to embrace the joy of language, preparing them for a lifelong love for learning and literacy.

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Our literacy program follows a comprehensive approach, integrating various elements to support children's holistic literacy development. The learning environment plays a vital role, providing a literacy-rich atmosphere that fosters curiosity and a desire to engage with language. We prioritize inquiry-based learning, where children's interests drive their investigations, encouraging critical thinking and exploration. The arts, such as drawing, storytelling, and creative writing, become vehicles for children to communicate and express their learning, strengthening their language and communication skills. Additionally, explicit instruction in oral language, reading, and writing is thoughtfully integrated into daily routines. Educators scaffold children's learning, facilitating discussions, interactive read-alouds, and shared writing experiences. This multifaceted approach empowers children to become proficient readers, expressive writers, and confident communicators.

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In our literacy program, we embrace the power of play-based learning to nurture children's literacy development. Through play, children engage in imaginative activities, such as storytelling, role-playing, and dramatic play, fostering their oral language skills and igniting their passion for reading and writing. During play, educators actively participate, encouraging meaningful conversations that expand children's vocabulary and language proficiency. Our classrooms are equipped with a diverse range of literacy resources, including books, puppets, and writing materials, readily accessible during playtime. This approach creates a positive association with language and literacy, making children active, confident, and enthusiastic learners.

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A few years ago I began Genius Hour on Fridays to incorporate STEM into our classroom. STEM (which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is an engaging, hands on way to get students to communicate, collaborate, be creative, think critically, and exercise compassion. These are all important skills for life and even your littlest students can do it.

This summer I was looking into getting more STEM materials for my first graders. They were so expensive that I had to limit what I got. But then I had an idea. STEM doesn't have to be expensive. I began collecting materials at home. I keep a bin in the garage and place the items there so it doesn't clutter our house.

⏬Here is a list of materials to collect.⤵

An easy way to begin STEM is to create grab bags. Grab bags are just that. A bag with a set amount of supplies {I prefer around 10} given to a team or group of students. Each group has the same challenge to do.

Here are some basic challenges to get you started:

💚Construct a circular {tall, short, wide} structure.

💚Construct a vehicle that moves.

💙Construct something that could hold _________.

Once you have the supplies and decide on a task, it time to begin. Before we begin I remind students of the challenge and the 5 C's: communication, collaboration, be creative, critical thinking, and compassion. I place students in groups, or teams, and then we start.

1. First, teams need to decide what they are building.

2. Next, they come up with a plan and assign jobs.

3. Then, they build. I give them a set amount of time (20-30 minutes) and give frequent reminders of time remaining.

4. After the time is up, we do a gallery walk of all of the projects.

5. Last, it's time for each group to share out. We talk about the process and which of the 5 C's was the easiest for the group and which one they struggled with.

I love to display our projects for the whole school to see. We talk about what we did with our 4th grade buddies. This helps students share the process and solidify which of the 5 C's they need to continue to work on. They also just love to share about what they did.

So why not begin STEM in your own classroom? I promise you it will be fun and you will love this time.

I have some amazing STEM and Literacy resources in my TpT shop. These are all student tested and teacher approved!

Another fun way to incorporate STEM into your primary classroom is to make Grab Boxes of materials and picture cards. When students finish their work early, or you need a time filler, you can use these activities.

Want it for your room? Get it

here.

I'm always learning and love to hear other ideas. Please comment with how you incorporate STEM into your classroom or with any questions you have!

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STEM in the First Grade Classroom - I Love 1st Grade

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A few years ago I began Genius Hour on Fridays to incorporate STEM into our classroom. STEM (which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is an engaging, hands on way to get students to communicate, collaborate, be creative, think critically, and exercise compassion.

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Counting and Cardinality FREEBIES - Keeping My Kiddo Busy

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I am thrilled to be sharing this huge Counting and Cardinality Unit with you!

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https://besttoys4toddlers.com/how-sensory-play-benefits-language-development/

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Would you like to help your child work on their language skills in a fun and engaging way? Let's see how sensory play benefits language development and what you can do to assist your baby, toddler or preschooler.

Many Benefits of Sensory Play

One of the best things about playing through sensory exploration is the benefit to many different areas of development!

Using many senses at once allows children to develop language, cognitive, motor, social and imaginative skills.

Using Descriptive Vocabulary
Squishy, bumpy, smooth, sticky, gooey, cold.
These are some fun descriptive words! And they're only the beginning when it comes to developing vocabulary through sensory play.

When children are engaged in any type of play talking about their experiences will help develop language skills. If your child is already fairly verbal it will be helpful to observe and listen to the language they use naturally. You can then build off of what they are already saying to expand their sentences and vocabulary.

Ask Questions During Sensory Play!

By asking questions and having a conversation you can encourage describing language.

Here are some ways you can talk about it.

"How does it feel?"

"This feels (slimy, smooth, cold, etc.) to me."

"Have you ever felt anything else like this? Does it remind you of anything?"

Using Action Words During Sensory Play

You can also encourage the use of action words.

"Let's mix it!"

"You're pouring very carefully."

"Which spoon should we use to stir?"

These are just some ideas of how you can encourage language development through sensory play. But even if you don't do any prompting on purpose the play itself will promote growth.

Sensory Play Benefits Language Development and More!

Sensory play lends itself well to pretending which will also encourage language.

By adding characters and props to sensory bins, children have the ability to practice conversation.

And whether you use bins, bags or bottles you can include letters which will help with letter recognition and objects for naming while playing games like I Spy.

Through sensory play when mixing, scooping and pouring children will also be using their coordination and perfecting grasping skills. These skills will assist with early writing as they grow.

Remember of course, sensory play should be about the fun and the experience. And all learning will follow and occur naturally!

What to Read Next?
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How Sensory Play Benefits Language Development - Best Toys 4 Toddlers

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One of the best things about playing through sensory exploration is the benefit to many different areas of development!

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Phonemic Awareness Routines and Activities

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In this post I'm sharing phonemic awareness routines and activities you can do with your students throughout the day to ensure they receive the phonics practice and review they need for mastery.