Early literacy skills are a major focus of primary school. This is a time for students to get comfortable with language, reading, and writing.
“Language Experience Activities” (LEA) are a valuable part of developing literacy, and can really be adapted for all grades. In LEA, students reflect on a familiar activity or event using oral language first. Then, they produce structured sentences for the teacher to record about the topic. After practice reading their sentences, looking at sight words, word patterns, parts of speech, etc., the students can record their own sentences. It is very motivating for students to illustrate their work, and share it with others.
Through this process, students gain both reading and writing skills, as well as confidence in their literacy performance. What seems like a simple activity activates different modes of learning and reinforces basic skills in a very motivating way. It can even be done at home!
