Bounce into Virginias Foundation Blocks

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Bounce into Virginias Foundation Blocks!

• Betsy Peters, ECSE Teacher Author
• Belinda Hooper, VCU ECSE
• Celebrate Literacy Symposium
• February 29, 2008

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What is a

• foundation block?

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Lets Play!

• Take a guess
• Share
• Results of the fall?
• Share

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Virginias Foundation Blocks for Early Learning

• Establish a measurable range of skills and
  knowledge essential for 4-year-olds to be
  successful in kindergarten
• Promote a seamless system of learning as children
  progress from preschool to kindergarten

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Foundation Blocks aligned to

• Virginias Kindergarten Standards of Learning
  (SOL)
• Virginias Phonological Awareness Literacy
  Screening (PALS)
• National guide Teaching Our Youngest A Guide
  for Preschool Teachers and Child Care and Family
  Providers

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Its all about children!

• Minimum standards
• Scientifically-based research
• Tools
• Participation in meaningful and relevant learning
  experiences

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Building with the Foundation Blocks!

• Six core subject areas
• Expectation indicators
• Sample teaching activities

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Inspiration!
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Her needs

• Literature
• -that could potentially increase important early
  literacy skills on her level
• -that required only an emerging skill in
  attention span
• -that could relate to a theme that could be
  expanded on
• -that could be developed with real world
  experiences
• -that were durable

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Thus Worms Like to Wiggle was Born.
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A ThoughtSome Evidence!
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Goals!

• Goal 1 To create a story for all children to
  enjoy!
• Goal 2 Use that story to create easy to access
  teaching materials for the classroom at no cost.
• Goal 3 Use that story to create ideas for
  parents to increase literacy skills at home in
  the natural environment.

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Teaching Materials

• Planning Matrix- Based on Toni Linders Read,
  Play, Learn.
• Lesson Plans related to Virginias Foundation
  Blocks.
• Activities to enhance the lesson plans.

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The Website

• All of the teaching materials are available on
  the website.
• Visit www.wormsliketowiggle.com.

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Final Thoughts!

• Remember to always use the guidelines set forth
  in the Virginia Foundation Blocks as guidelines.
  Always individualize and differentiate to meet
  the needs of your students!