Developing Early Literacy Skills through Play, Drama and Songs Pre-K-K Institute

This 2 day institute is designed for teacher leaders, coaches, and district leaders who are interested in both sharpening their teaching practices as well as thinking about ways to support the literacy work in their Pre-K and kindergarten programs. This institute will focus on the teaching of early literacy skills in Pre-K and kindergarten classrooms, and will also give educators time to study and coach students in the midst of their play and throughout the day. Advancing Literacy staff developers will provide opportunities for demonstrations, inquiries and practice working with different group sizes across the institute. Participants will study ways to design joyful experiences for young children, how to assess and lift their language, literacy, and social skills development during these activities.

• Participants will have an opportunity to observe and practice, reflect, and receive feedback from staff developers, as well as fellow participants.
• Participants will work with a small cohort, in classrooms and study groups, to share and reflect on classroom practice. We will focus on the development of early literacy skills through small groups, centers, and play. We will study letter/sound development, literacy and drama, the role of writing, emergent storybook reading, read aloud, and play.
• This is a great opportunity for participants who want to study with others, consider implications of research in early childhood education, and reflect on teaching practices.