CLI has transformed both the physical environment and rapid rate of cognitive development of my students. The books provided by CLI have caused literature to saturate and deepen our learning across the curricula. The games and hands-on activities gifted to us are age-appropriate and stimulating for the children. These items and training make learning possible and exciting for children at all skill levels. The professional development and intense coaching has caused my teaching to become strategic, effective, and progressive. I have seen the reading, writing, and overall academic performance improve in comparison to previous years.
Our Favorite Books
Summer Reading is Series Reading
During the warm summer months it is important to keep children excited about reading. Research has found that one way to prevent the dreaded “summer slump” is through reading. One of the best ways to encourage children to choose reading is through series reading. Familiar characters, places, and plots keep children coming back for more. While many series books are for independent readers, there are wonderful picture book and early chapter book series. Here are a few of our favorites:
Folk Stories and Fairy Tales
Folk stories and fairy tales are not only part of our rich literary history, but they are an excellent way to build children’s literacy skills. Repetitive sounds and rhyme patterns help develop phonemic awareness. Familiar plots and characters allow children to practice comprehension skills such as learning to make predictions, practicing compare and contrast, and interpreting and connecting texts. Folk stories also provide opportunities for children to improve fluency through choral reading and Reader’s Theater.
Before exploring different versions of familiar stories, it is important create a foundation by revisiting a traditional telling before reading fractured or alternate versions of the text. Here are some of our favorite versions of traditional folk stories.
Title selections are also available in our Read Aloud Classroom Collections. For more information please contact Jana Herko, Book Collections Supervisor at JHerko@ChildrensLiteracyInitiative.org.
