Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Foundations of Emergent Writing Why foundations of emergent writing are foundational to a literate existence (it matters!) Engage in a brief history of emergent literacy research Identify the essentials of emergent writing development Describe how speaking, listening, reading, and writing interrelate/intersect (constrained skills, unconstrained skills) Understand the implications for skill development at each of these intersections. Explore the developmental milestones and phases of emergent writing. Readers will gain a deep understanding of the typical writing milestones for each age group, enabling them to tailor their approach to individual children's needs. Describe developmentally appropriate writing practices for [each] infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. Understand the cognitive and motor skills involved in early mark-making. Chapter 2: Creating a Literacy-Rich Environment Introduce the features of an educator's philosophy that nurtures story-making Explore the importance of stance: adult as audience and not author Creating the space and time for emergent writing The Space: Designing and implementing environments that inspire and support emergent writing. Selecting appropriate materials and designing inviting writing spaces Practical tips that establish a routine for emergent writing The Time: Integrate writing opportunities into everyday activities and routines. evidence-based strategies that encourage emergent writing exploration Chapter 3: Cultural and Linguistic Considerations Recognize the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity in emergent writing. Adopt an expansive view of culture to reflect the social practices of children, families, and communities. Honor diversity by encouraging a multilingual approach to emergent writing practices. Understand how writing is based in language, and all languages can and should inform children's writing Tailor approaches to celebrate cultural backgrounds, experiences, and ways of knowing Approaches to material selection and curriculum planning Approaches to instruction and interactions Chapter 4: Playful Approaches to Writing Discover the significance of play in emergent writing Learn how to make emergent writing experiences joyful and meaningful Considering your own early writing experiences within the ideas of play and choice Infusing writing within children's play Seamlessly integrating writing materials into dramatic play experiences Creating opportunities for engaging activities and games with print Seeing children's play as writing Understanding multimodal composing and the parallels between making and writing The hummingbird and the helicopter: Unpacking the teachers' role in narrative story-making Chapter 5: Technology and Emergent Writing Navigate the role of technology in early literacy development. What the research says regarding technology and emergent writing Choose age-appropriate digital tools to enhance emergent writing experiences When, where, and why to incorporate technology when teaching emergent writers Share opportunities for appropriate technology use within writing teaching and learning for [each] infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners Approaches to incorporating technology to foster children's writing Chapter 6: Collaboration with Families and Communities Recognize the essential role families play in a child's literacy journey Effectively communicate with families to understand home literacy practices Foster partnerships with families to reinforce emergent writing skills at home Extend emergent writing practices beyond the classroom. Provide resources and guidance for caregivers to actively engage in the process. Authentically incorporate children's communities into writing experiences Strategies for partnering with places within your community Strategies for partnering with community members Chapter 7: Assessment and Documentation Effective methods for observing and documenting emergent writing behaviors. Evaluating bias: high-inference and low-inference note-taking Practical techniques to communicate students' progress with families Use assessment tools to inform instructional practices and individualize support. Practical techniques to gauge a child's progress accurately Selecting the appropriate tool for each instructional context Tailoring instruction to meet the diverse needs of young learners. Using what you know to determine where to go