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Quality children’s literature plays a
significant part in my classroom and it helps the children
become whoever-it-is they are going to turn out to be.
Reading books as a child becomes part of ones identity in a
way that no other reading in ones whole life does.
Children’s work is their play. Encouraging “play” with books
builds the foundation needed for children to begin
practicing literacy. Experiencing the joy of reading and
becoming completely engaged in the text and the
illustrations are phenomenal. Even if the books are not on
the child’s reading level, the excitement is still present.
Read a-louds model for children the effect of a good story.
Children observe and learn how books work and how to work
with books. They become thinkers of their own thinking as
they practice “reading” on their own. They begin making
connections to themselves, to other texts they have become
familiar with, and/or to events in the outside world. They
ask questions and find answers. Mental images are made.
Inferences develop. Their schema becomes filled. Knowledge
is acquired. Not only do the children learn to read, they
begin reading for meaning. Comprehension happens. Pixie dust
swirls in the air as reading magic occurs.
Evon McCurley
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