You can use ABC Phonics: Sing, Sign, and Read! by Nellie Edge and Sign2Me Early Learning to teach foundational literacy skills and simultaneously challenge accelerated learners to expand their reading skills and vocabulary.
First, repeatedly read the exact textA describing how to make each key phonics sign. This will build English fluency and support independent readers as they challenge themselves to read this entire text on their own. Intentionally encourage this early reading behavior even as most of the class is still mastering letters and sounds and engaging in “magical memory reading.”
Another way to differentiate learning for independent readers is to use the book to introduce simple scientific facts and rich vocabulary words. Once a week use the text to explore what we know and wonder about animals. Then invite the children to go home, do some online research about their favorite animals, and return to share more fascinating facts! New information can be added to the current information with the student-researchers’ names highlighted in an ABC Phonics Animal Research book. This is consistent with the kind of teaching that meets high Common Core State Standards.
Weave a rich web of vocabulary and scientific information throughout the pages of this ABC book.
“When they enter school, zstudents differ markedly in their vocabulary knowledge. Materials must address this vocabulary gap early, systematically, and aggressively, or it will expand and accelerate.”
–Excerpt from Common Core State Standards document
What do we know about alligators?This program component is currently part of our ongoing 2011-2012 Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy action-research project. It is not a published document. Our future newsletters and ABC Phonics tab at nellieedge.com will provide additional information and ongoing support.
