Table of Contents

Preface vii

Acknowledgments ix

About the Author xi

Chapter 1: A Practical Introduction to Early Literacy 1

A Brief Description of Early Literacy 3

The Rationale for Developing Early Literacy Skills in Early Childhood Programs 10

Whole Language and Its Place in Early Literacy Instruction 10

Whole Language and Children Who Have Special Needs 14

Whole Language and Children Who Have Average Linguistic Skills 16

Whole Language and Children Who Have Above Average Linguistic Skills 20

The Language-Experience Approach (LEA) in Early Literacy Programs 22

The Language-Experience Approach for Children Who Have Special Needs 25

The Language-Experience Approach for Children with Average Linguistic Skills 27

The Language-Experience Approach for Children with Above Average Linguistic Skills 28

Chapter 2: Assessment Devices in Early Literacy Programs 31

Standardized Tests and Their Major Advantages and Limitations 33

Informal Assessment in Early Literacy Programs 35

Checklist of Primary-Grade Writing Behaviors 104

Chapter 3: Listening and Oral Language Skills 107

Listening 109

Oral Language 114

Theories of Oral Language Development 114

Stages of Oral Language Development 117

Chapter 4: Letter-Name and Sight-Word Knowledge 125

Letter-Name Recognition and Identification 127

Sight-Word Recognition and Identification 153

Chapter 5: Improving Competency in Phonics 173

Phonemic Awareness 175

Phonics 175

The Most Common Phonic Elements 177

Chapter 6: Improving Ability in Word Structure and Context 199

Word Structure 201

Context Clues 217

Chapter 7: Improving Ability in Vocabulary and Comprehension 231

Types of Meaning Vocabularies and Their Relation to Reading Achievement 233

Reading Comprehension 242

Appendix I: Big Book Resources 269

Appendix II: Predictable Books 271

Appendix III: Recommended LEA Resources 275

Appendix IV: For Additional Reading 277

Appendix V: Chants, Finger Plays, Action Verses, and Recommended Books 279

Appendix VI: Wordless Books 287

Appendix VII: The Dolch Basic Sight Words 289

Appendix VIII: Books for Reviewing Individual Letter Names 293

Appendix IX: Cooking and Baking Activities to Review Letter Names 299

Appendix X: Contemporary Easy-to-Read Trade Books 303

Appendix XI: Further Reading on Phonics 305

Appendix XII: Trade Books for Improving Phonic Skills in Context 307

Appendix XIII: Books to Promote Enjoyment of Words 313

Appendix XIV: Poetry Books for Young Children 315

Appendix XV: Books for Visual Imagery 317

Bibliography 319

Answer Key 327

About the Author

Wilma H. Miller, Ed.D., is professor emeritas of education at Illinois State University in Normal, where she taught undergraduate and graduate students in reading for over thirty years. Prior to that she taught at the University of Wisconsin and was an elementary teacher in Illinois and Arizona. Dr. Miller has published numerous journal articles dealing with reading and has also authored many books in the field, including Reading Comprehension Activities Kit, Complete Reading Disabilities Handbook, and Alternative Assessment Techniques for Reading & Writing.