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Steps to Reading
Purpose/Skills
- To identify the parts of a book and how they are read
- To handle a book appropriately
- To understand that the print in books contains meaningful information and is read in a particular way
Materials
Children's favorite books
Read any book that appeals to the group.
Vocabulary
| cover | pages |
| words | the end |
| pictures | title |
Warm-Up
Give children time to handle and examine some favorite books. Then read a book that children know well and enjoy.
Procedure
- Gather the group in a reading circle, with the book on the floor at your feet. Tell children you are going to read the book again, only this time, it's their job to tell you what to do. Ask, "What should I do first?"
- Elicit information about how to read a book, as children guide you through the steps in the process. For example, if someone tells you to pick up the book, do so, but place it in your lap. Let children tell you the steps involved in reading the book. (Examples: Hold the book in your hands, right side up; open the book; begin on the first page; read the words and look at the pictures; turn pages as you read; keep reading until the story ends and there are no more words or pictures.)
- As you guide children through the process, ask them to also name the different parts of the book. (Examples: cover, pages, words, pictures, title, the end)
- As you read, point out proper use of the book: "I turn one page at a time. I read the pages in order."
- At the end of the exercise, recap all the information children have mentioned about reading, and be sure to compliment children on how much they know about books.
Provide quiet reading time, encouraging children to leaf through their favorite books and "read" to themselves.
Observation Assessment
- Proficient - Child can easily identify three or more steps in the process of reading a book.
- In Process - Child can easily identify a few steps in the process of reading a book.
- Not Yet Ready - Child cannot yet identify or explain how to read a book.
More on: Learning Activities for Preschoolers
Excerpted from School Readiness Activity Cards. The Preschool Activity Cards provide engaging and purposeful experiences that develop language, literacy, and math skills for preschool children.
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