We! Are! Readers! HOORAY!

Early last week, the boys and girls were all gathered on the mat, energetic and ready to learn. Here is how the conversation went:

Mrs Beliveau: I have a very important question for all of you today. Who here is a reader?

A few hands hesitantly rose. Most kids looked a little sheepish and kept their hands down. 

Mrs. Beliveau: Hmmmm. Well, I actually think everyone here is a reader. Everyone!

Student: Oh no, Mrs. Beliveau, I can't read yet. I didn't learn how to yet. 

Mrs. Beliveau: Well, what if I told you I have a special book right here in our classroom that I bet you ALL can read. Would you like to see it?

The students were really excited to see what this special book was all about. And for the next 15 or so minutes, our class had loads of fun flipping page by page, shouting out words they knew as we read together! Yet again, learning in Grade One got a little boisterous!

*     *     *

So what is this special book? This is a little book that Mrs. Beliveau adapted that is filled with everyday words children are already familiar with, often called "environmental print". 

Ask your child which word is Mrs. Beliveau's favourite
(hint ... check the letter Tt page!)

Environmental print is familiar to our students and is an excellent entry point for our beginning readers. They recognize this print in everyday life and can "read it" within the context of everyday experience. 

Look at what we can read!

Reading is, quite possibly, the single most exciting and anticipated parts of Grade One. It is also one of the most complex and challenging skills we learn in Grade One. But, because of this little project, the boys and girls are convinced they are readers . . . and they absolutely, most certainly are! 


Project inspired and adapted from Mrs. Lirette's Learning Detectives.