Creating a Print-Rich Environment

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Creating a Print-Rich Environment

• Carla D. Saunders, M.Ed.
• Positive Influences for Youth
• [phone]

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What is a Print Rich Environment?

• A print-rich classroom is one in which children
  interact with many forms of print that include
  signs, labeled centers, wall stories, bulletin
  boards, charts and displays.

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Different Types of Print

• Environmental print is the print we see all
  around us - the print on commercial signs, labels
  and products we use everyday, etc.

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Different types of print

• Functional print gives children a reason to read
  by providing information they need examples are
  schedules, routines, center labels, graphs, sign
  in sheets.

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Activity 1

• What Am I Learning?

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Why is Print Important?

• It helps children
• recognize print in their surroundings
• understand that print carries meaning
• experience print through exploratory writing
• know that print is used for many purposes
• adapt their intellectual tools to meet new
  situations or challenges, integrating thought and
  actions

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Teachers role

• To
• Provide time and opportunity for multiple
  literacy activities during the day
• Model reading and writing
• Introduce students to a wide variety of
  literature
• Listen to students read
• Work with students during writing time
• Arrange print displays that are at students eye
  level

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Examples of Creating a Print - Rich Environment

• Labeling objects in the classroom
• Meaningful print displayed throughout the room.
• Objects that children see and use in their lives
  are labeled.
• Print is placed at children's eye level.
• Feature posters, calendars, and bulletin boards
  that display information.
• Build activities around engaging children in this
  information.
• Menus, order pads, play money
• Recipes, empty food cartons, marked measuring
  spoons and cups

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Examples of Creating a Print - Rich Environment

• Memo pads, envelopes, and address labels
• Child-made books (individual and group-process
  made)
• Teacher-made books
• Books made by the class based on shared
  experiences
• Picture books
• Childrens magazines
• Pillows, rugs, rockers (to create a soft,
  comfortable area)
• Flannel board with stories children can re-tell
• Familiar books that children can read from
  memory
• Pictures of children reading
• Story tapes
• Books for reference

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Tips on Labeling

• Dont label everything in the room.
• Make sure your labeling is neat.
• If you cannot print neatly, do your text on a
  computer.
• Use the style of writing that is consistent with
  what your school district teaches
• When labeling shelves for toys, try to use a
  picture as well
• Things are written Left-to-Right, starting at the
  top left hand of the page.

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Monitoring a Childs Progress

• Observing them in daily activities and
  interactions.
• Collecting samples of their drawings, paintings,
  and writing.
• Keeping notes about what they say and do.
• Encouraging them to talk about their own
  progress.
• Using valid screening tools.
• Talking with parents and caregivers about
  children's progress.