Integrating Environmental Print Across the Curriculum, PreK-3

Lynn Kirkland is associate professor of early childhood education at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She also directs the UAB Children′s Creative Learning Center′s summer enrichment program for children. Kirkland has published numerous articles on early childhood and literacy development, and is co-author of Connectors: Content Area Studies in Early Childhood published by the Association for Childhood Education International. Jerry Aldridge is professor of curriculum and instruction and coordinator of the doctoral program in early childhood education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is a former president of the United States chapter of the World Organization for Early Childhood Education and currently serves on the publications committee of the Association for Childhood Education International. Aldridge has published numerous articles in early childhood, literacy, and special education.Patricia Kuby, Ph.D., is professor and chair of early childhood education at Athens State University in Alabama. She learned to appreciate the importance of environmental print as her children read signs and logos while traveling on family car trips. Her three children are now all educators themselves. Patricia is past president of the Alabama Association for the Education of Young Children. She has published numerous articles on literacy development and early childhood.

• AcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsIntroduction1. What We Know About Environmental Print and Young ChildrenThe Conceptual Framework for Using Environmental PrintWhat We Know About Early LiteracyResearch on Environmental PrintEnvironmental Print and Children With Special NeedsEnvironmental Print and No Child Left BehindSummary of the Research Findings on Environmental PrintAppropriate Ways to Use Environmental Print Throughout the Curriculum2. Language Arts ActivitiesDaily NewsPosters and SignsDictionariesWriting ExperiencesLiteracy Across Thematic UnitsRebus StoriesWall Lists and Bulletin BoardsPocket ChartsText InnovationsWord BoxesBook BoxesNewspaper Ad Word SearchRecipesLunchboxesBillboardsAlphabet Scavenger HuntEnvironmental Print WalkRestaurant MenusAlphabet Wall/Community AlphabetAlphabet BooksReading Inside the Box3. Math ActivitiesPuzzlesCouponsGraphsMath GamesMath in an Integrated CurriculumM & M′s MathNewspaper AdsFood LabelsEnlarged Class TextsListsGrocery Store SurveysFood Groups4. Health and Science ActivitiesMaking Flavored MilkPeanut Butter and Jelly SandwichesMaking M & M′s CoookiesMaking Chicken or Vegetable StewMaking PizzaMaking PancakesPretend ShoppingReal ShoppingGood Food Versus Junk FoodSnacks--How Good Are They?Where Does Food Go?Pretend RestaurantMatching ToothpastePlanting SeedsUsing Cardboard ContainersWeather SymbolsGoing on a Picnic5. Social Studies ActivitiesUsing the NewspaperPostcard TravelMapping the CommunityCommunity HelpersTransportation SchedulesHome Sales and RentalsEnvironmental Print Graphs and ElectionsCareers and Environmental PrintSocial Studies "Me Books" and JournalsCulturally Diverse Environmental Print6. Creative Dramatics, Music, and Art ActivitiesArt CollageStudying ArtistsNeighborhood MuralMe Boxes and "Myself"Delivery VehiclesMUSIC--Songs for CommercialsCreative Dramatics--"Centers" StageMusical Instrument TimeCan You Make a Puppet?7. Meeting the Goals of the National Reading Panel Through Environmental Print ActivitiesPhonemic Awareness Activity: Starts Like...Phonics Activity: Blended Environmental PrintFluency Activity: Speedy Shopping ListVocabulary Activity: What Goes With This?Comprehension Activity: Where Do You Find It?Conclusion: Challenges and Opportunities in Using Environmental PrintReflective TeachingTransformational TeachingResourcesResource A. Environmental Print Book ListResource B. Sample Letter to ParentsReferences

"Having children bring in environmental print items with which they have had experiences gives them a feeling of ownership in learning to read. They share their experiences and these experiences, in turn, have a profound effect on their literacy development."