Early Childhood Technology Literacy Grant Literacy Activity

Level of Reader(s): Early Emergent, Emergent

Balanced Literacy Element(s): Paired Reading, Word Work/Phonics

Developed by: Karen Bulman, Lori Skolnick, Kindergarten Teachers and Sonny Narvez, Media Specialist

Edited by: Bonny Chambers

Overview: In this center activity, Early Emergent and Emergent readers use My First Incredible Amazing Dictionary to practice identifying initial consonant sounds and learn facts about farm animals.

Concepts and Outcomes:

The students will:

• identify beginning sounds in the names of farm animals
• cooperate and take turns using the computer
• "read" different facts about specific farm animals
• develop beginning electronic literacy concepts

Materials:

• Computer
• TV or projection device for modeling (if possible)
• My First Incredible Amazing Dictionary CD Rom
• A variety of small plastic farm animals (for example: Fisher Price farm animals)

Learning Sequence:

1. Introduce the center to students by using a guess box with one of the plastic animals inside. Give the students both phonemic and conceptual clues about what is in the box.
2. Model using the My First Incredible Amazing Dictionary CD Rom to locate the animal in the dictionary and find out more about it or validate what the students already know. Be sure to show the students how you would like them to get started using the program.
3. Ask a student to pick a different animal from the basket.
4. Have the class say the name of the animal and ask them to use Think-Pair-Share to decide on the beginning sound and letter of the animal's name.
5. Ask a volunteer to come up and click on the first letter of the animal's name.
6. Ask a different volunteer to come up and find the picture of the animal and click on it.
7. Explore the page together to learn more about the animal.
8. Explain to students that they will complete this center activity with a partner. One student will choose the animal and be the "director", the other student will be the "mouse driver". Then, they will switch jobs and do the activity again.
9. Use a "Need a Turn, Had a Turn" board or checklist to keep track of who has completed the activity.

Teacher Reflections:

• For ESOL or very emerging students adding word cards labeled with the animal names to the basket would make it easier for them to identify the initial letter in the name of the animal.
• By observing students during this activity I was able to see if they were able to identify initial sounds, locate a specific letter in the alphabet, and if they were able to follow multistep directions.
• This was a very beneficial computer center! The students were very engaged and motivated, as well as on task!