Literacy Week 2

Within the classrooms I've had the opportunity to visit and observe, emergent literacy has been a prominent aspect in the lives of young students. While many of my students are just learning how to read I also have a group of students who are highly capable of writing entire chapters. Emergent literacy as I see it requires a wide array of visual learning where words and sentences can be commonly found throughout everyday life. I strongly agree with Sulzby and Teale in their article titled Emergent Literacy: New Perspectives when they say that, "young children's literacy learning grows out of a wide variety of experiences" (p. 5). With their article, we are reminded how important it is to read with or to our children on a daily basis. As I am learning now, reading with children doesn't simply mean reading because there is a level of comprehension that we must acknowledge.

Without fail, my master teacher's always take time out of their day for storytelling and read alouds. I feel passionate enough when I say never underestimate the power of reading a book to a child. Even if they merely listening to you read there is still learning going on. I've even had the opportunity to sit one on one with students as they read to me. Some are able to read word for word while other interpret their book for me by what they see in pictures.

Thankfully I've had the opportunity to be surrounded by many postive experiences where the teachers I'm with strongly support and encourage young children's literacy in a wide array of experiences. I do believe this is crucial for any "good" teacher.