By: Jocelyn Brooke Pruden

Introduction to Literacy-Rich Environments:

A literacy-rich environment is a setting that

stimulates all students to participate in language and

literacy activities in their daily lives thereby giving

them the understandings of the utility and function of

oral and written language (The Access Center, 2007).

LITERACY-RICH MATERIALS

A literacy-rich environment has

an abundance of high-quality

literacy materials. Like in the

photo, literacy-rich classrooms

have materials such as a variety

of books, dictionaries, labels,

signs, etc. These materials help

students with reading, writing,

speaking and listening because

they provide the resources

needed to educate students

effectively.Retrieved from www.dorireads.blogspot.com

HAVING AN ORGANIZED CLASSROOM

A literacy-rich classroom

has physical arrangement

that encourages reading

and writing. The physical

arrangement of the

classroom is crucial to

developing literacy growth

for children (The Access

Center, 2007). This

classroom has areas

designated for reading, as

well as tables for writing.

The reading carpet and

reading nook are great

areas to motivate students

to read.

Retrieved from www.gracepresby.org

Literacy RoutinesA literacy-rich classroom has daily literacy routines, including read-alouds, independent reading and writing, and sharing. This classroom area has a great space for read-alouds, independent reading, and sharing. Here a teacher could have writing mini-lessons, read-alouds, word study activities, as well as literacy routines.

Retrieved from www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2009

Classroom Culture

A literacy-rich classroom has culturally sensitive and integrated curriculum. This photo is a great representation of how to integrate culture. Bulletin boards are a great way of incorporating culture in the classroom. Students could find things to add on the bulletin board each week that represents a different culture. This provides an interesting way for students to experience art, culture and daily life of other cultures in a dynamic way. This classroom helps students to read, write, speak, and listen to other cultures.

Photo retrieved from carolineelizabeth.wordpress.com

ASSESSMENT IDEAS

A literacy-rich classroom

uses assessment to guide

instruction. This photo

primarily relates to writing.

A teacher could examine the

student’s writing to see

what spelling stage the child

is in, as well as find ways to

guide further instruction for

individual students.

Photo retrieved from www.teachingblogaddict.com

THINK SMART

A literacy-rich classroom uses

a variety of instruction. Using

a variety of instruction can

relate to reading, writing,

speaking, or listening. One

way to vary instruction is to

use technology, like the smart

board in the photo. A teacher

could vary instruction by

using music, computers, I

pads, CD players, visual aids,

games, etc. This classroom

seems to have many student

projects and student work on

the wall. This is a fun way to

differentiate instruction.

Photo retrieved from www.lisle202.org

GROUP WORK

A literacy-rich classroom uses a

variety of groups. You could vary

groups in reading, writing,

speaking, as well as listening.

Like in the photo, a teacher could

vary groups by small group,

whole group, partner work,

independent work,

teacher/student work, etc. By

varying groups, it helps students

to reflect on their own opinions,

as well as consider ideas from

their peers.

Photo retrieved from debbiediller.wordpress.com

CHARACTER IST ICS OF L ITERACY-R ICH CL ASSROOMSCONCLUS ION:

Each of these characteristics are centered around the concept of reflective, motivated

learners who use reading and writing to learn more about themselves and the world.

Photo retrieved from blogs.voices.com

SOURCES

The Access Center, (2007). Literacy-Rich Environments.

Retrieved November 10, 2012, from The Access Center

website:

http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/literacyrich

environments.asp