Concepts+of+Print


 * Concepts of Print **

What they are: (TE 301, Concepts of Print PP)
 * Basic knowledge about how print in general, and books in particular, "work."
 * Concepts of print include aspects such as:
 * What we read
 * Illustrations related to words
 * Print represents language
 * Words do not change between readings
 * We read left to right and top to bottom
 * "Return sweep" meaning when we get to the end of the line we start back on the next line at the left again
 * A space separates words
 * Texts including, words and sentences have a "beginning" and an "end"
 * Words have a "first letter", "last letter", and "middle letters"
 * Orientation of letters matters
 * Ex: Pen is pen no matter how we hold or look at the paper. However a letter could be a p, b, d, or q depending on your visual aspect.
 * There is a "right side up" for reading print
 * We hold a book certain ways
 * We open books certain ways
 * We turn pages left to right
 * Books have front and back covers, an author, and sometimes an illustrator
 * Some books may have other important parts such as index, table of contents, or glossary
 * Knowledge of conventions

Why they are important? (TE 301, Concepts of Print PP)
 * Concepts of print are essential to conventional reading and writing.
 * Concepts of word are predictors of growth in reading in early elementary.
 * Instruction, at times, relies on concepts of print.
 * Ex: A teacher may assume that all the children in her class know what she means when she says, "Look at the beginning of the word." However, all children may not know this.

Concepts of Print Development:
 * Begin to develop at an early stage.
 * Continuous process of development: well into elementary school.
 * Some concepts of print are acquired before others.
 * How to hold and open a book before learning which direction we read letters within a word.
 * As concepts of print develop so do theories about how print works.
 * Specific assessment designed to measure developmental progress.
 * Can also observe their progress as they begin to draw, write, interact with books, etc.
 * Ways to be a catalyst to their development:
 * Hold book so they can see it.
 * Use the "magic pointer" finger and point to the words as you read them.
 * Children learn by example: write in front of them.
 * Say words as you write.
 * Use correct terminology when reading a book out loud.
 * Get children involved in their own development.
 * Have them "help" you. Ask them questions, "where should I start reading?"

Concepts of Print PowerPoint: