Discussions Regarding the Preschool Observation Checklist and Evaluation Tool (POCET)

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Activity Idea: Trash Can Spelling

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that literacy begins by immersing children in literacy-rich environments and fostering in them a love of language and reading: You can support young children’s emerging literacy skills by planning activities that involve discriminating sounds, identifying print, recognizing letters, developing a love of books, writing, and appreciation of the rhythm of language. These emergent skills will give the child a solid foundation to begin the reading process during this first year of school.

Here's an activity called Trash Can Spelling that will help children to begin decoding words and understanding print. For this activity, you'll need a soft, fleece ball and a hoop ball goal or large, clean trash can.

Materials Needed:
A clean trash can or large container or hoop ball goal (HOOP5)
A soft sponge-type ball or fleece balls (FLCBALL)


Let’s Get Started:
1. Play a game of Trash Can Spelling with a guided reading group (children on the same developmental level in reading).
2. Divide the group into two teams.
3. Each child will get the opportunity to orally spell an appropriate word.
4. When the child spells the word correctly, she gets to opportunity to try to make a "basket" in the trash can with the sponge ball. If the ball goes in the can, that team receives one point.
5. The teacher should make every attempt to make this game as non-competitive as possible. The goal should be receiving the point. There should not be a prize for the team with the most points.

Futhermore....
Extend the activity by encouraging children to spell different words with a personal-sized magnetic board (MAGBOD) and magnetic letters (LETSET).
 If using POCET®, this activity corresponds with the deverlopmental guidelines shown in LT18: Identifies at Least 10 Letters of the Alphabet. It also corresponds with the Literacy Knowledge & Skills head Start domain.

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® and browse through all age areas, including Preschool, Kindergarten, Infant & Toddler, and Head Start. Don't forget to explore activities promoting environmental awareness at Environmental QuickSource®.

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