Maya Losardo, Age 8

To give you a broader picture of how Ladders to Literacy works, as well as specific tools used, following are a number of excerpts and sample activities taken from Ladders to Literacy: A Preschool Activity Book.

(Notari-Syverson, A., O'Connor, R.E., & Vadasy, P.F. (1998). Ladders to Literacy: A Preschool Activity Book. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. (#3173; $49.95); toll-free telephone: 1-800-638-3775; fax: 410-337-8539; web site: www.brookespublishing.com)

EXCERPTS:

CONTENTS More->

CHAPTER 3 (p. 35)
Implementing Ladders to Literacy
The main purpose of the Ladders to Literacy curriculum is to illustrate how learning about literacy and language is an integral part of daily life at home, at school, and in the community. More->

ACTIVITIES (Introduction to Activities, pp. 39-43)
Components

Each activity includes a purpose statement with a list of behaviors the activity facilitates, a description of the activity procedures and materials, suggestions for specific child objectives and adult assistance, adaptations for specific disabilities, and ideas for home activities and parent involvement. More->

SAMPLE ACTIVITIES

MORNING/AFTERNOON
MESSAGE AND NEWS (pp. 72-75)
Main Purpose
To use print as a communication tool

Children learn that print is a tool to communicate with others. Thoughts and messages can be translated into print and preserved for others to read and reread. Children are made aware of the process of translating meaningful oral language into print. More->

CLAP THE SYLLABLES (pp. 150-152)
Main Purpose
To understand that words can be conceptualized as a collection of parts

The child recognizes that words can be subdivided at the syllable level. This activity introduces children to differentiating the sound of words from their meaning. Children come to view words as collections of sounds apart from their meaning. More->

LET'S SAY IT ANOTHER WAY! (pp. 253-255)
Main Purpose
To develop vocabulary, narrative skills, and literate discourse

Children learn about the symbolic and arbitrary nature of language and print. They learn that objects, people, and events can be represented through the use of different symbolic systems. They learn about the conventions of language and print and their role in the communications of a specific group or culture. More->