Environmental Print

What is Environmental Print? 

Environmental print is the print that is found in the world around us and is usually the first print a young child recognizes. The print they see in their everyday lives holds great meaning for them, such as: 

· Labels on food boxes, cans, and bags 

· Signs for familiar restaurants or stores 

· Traffic signs 

· Logos for favorite toys 

Recognizing environmental print is one of the beginning stages of literacy development. Children get excited when they feel like they can "read" the print in their environment. When they begin to understand that letters and symbols have meaning it builds their confidence and they begin to feel like successful “readers” which motivates them to read more. When children are confident and excited about reading the more likely they are to become successful readers.

Our Environmental Print Project 

Please help your child collect a few examples of environmental print.   You can find these from foods you have at home, pictures in magazines, labels from bags, etc. Please make sure the sample is clean and flat- it may need to be cut. We will use the pieces of environmental print collected to fill up our "Word Wall".

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Letters, Letters, Letters!

Dear Parents,

Children are naturally interested in the letters they see in their world.  You don’t need flashcards or computer games, but you can take advantage of “teachable moments” with some of these ideas.

1.    Point out letters in your home on cereal boxes, household items, clothing, and 
     appliances.

2.    As you travel in the car, talk about letters on stores, restaurants, and signs.

3.    Magnetic letters are a “must have.”  Children can play with these on a refrigerator or cookie sheet.  Start with  one or two letters and slowly add more.  Point out the lines, circles, and unique configuration of each letter.  Talk about the sound each letter makes.  “This is letter and it says sound.”

4.    Look for crackers, cookies, or cereal in the shape of letters.  There are also

      cookie cutters, sponges, blocks, and other toys that will spark your child’s

      interest in letters.

5.    Talk about letters as you read to your child.  “Can you find a letter on this page?”

6.    Write names of family members on index cards and attach them to the refrigerator or a poster.  Talk about the different letters in each person’s name.

7.    Let your child dictate stories to you about their artwork or photographs you have taken.  (Carefully write down what your child says and then point to the words as you read over it again.)

8.    Write the words for objects in your child’s room on sticky notes.  Play a game where your child matches up the words with the objects.

Mr. Poock made it!

Mr. Poock finally made it to read to the morning group!

Winter Carnival Theme Basket

Wellman Elementary will host its Winter Carnival on Saturday, January 25^th, 2014 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.  Each year, the different grades create a “theme” basket to auction off and help the PTO raise money for our school. All money raised from the basket auction, this year, will go to the Safe Surface Project. 

Preschool will be creating a basket titled “Ultimate Gift Wrapping.”  If you are able, please send an item or a monetary donation so we may purchase items for the basket.  Please label the items “for basket” when you send them in.  I have listed a few things we are looking for but feel free to bring any creative ideas you may have.  Please send your donations by Thursday, January 16th.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for supporting our school!

Miss DiAnna

Items we are looking for include:

-Gift Wrap (any occasion)

-Gift Bags

-Bows

-Ribbon

-Gift Tags

-Tissue Paper

-Cards

-Tape

-Gift Wrap Storage Container

-Etc.

Paper, Pencils, and Props

Dear Parents,

Did you know that every time your child scribbles, that’s the beginning of learning to write? Those little squiggles and lines will turn into letters, words, and stories one day!  Here are some great tools that will give your child the opportunity to explore and develop small motor skills.

*Note!  Monitor the use of these materials and set rules and limits to where and when they can be used.

1.    Keep pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, notepads, paper, spiral notebooks, and so forth in a basket or old briefcase.  Encourage your child to play with these items inside at a table or outside at a picnic bench.

2.    Make play dough, tape, water colors, a hole punch, safety scissors, washable markers, construction paper, stickers and other art media available to your child. (This would actually be a better birthday gift than a toy!)  You might want to store these in a plastic tub or backpack to make them convenient to get out and clean up. 

3.    Value your child’s work by framing it or hanging it on the refrigerator.

4.    All children enjoy drawing with chalk on the sidewalk.  Or you could place a chalkboard in your garage or basement.

5.    Save forms from magazines or junk mail for children to write on.

6.    A magic slate, dry erase board, seasonal pencil, note cards, and other props will engage your child in writing.

Happy writing!

Iowa Children's Museum