DEVELOPMENTAL NOTE Cycle II: Literacy Skills
Child's name: Chad Miller   Date: MARCH, 1999

As an "older preschooler" reading and writing have become a part of Chad's everyday experience. He has had the opportunity to explore the materials at the literacy table. By looking at books and having stories read to him, Chad has learned the importance of reading and writing as a form of communication. Group charting and story dictations provide an opportunity for him to share his unique ideas with others. This Developmental Note will illustrate how Chad's literacy skills have grown the past year. The information in italics indicates skills from last year followed by the new skills.

• Last year, when presented with the written alphabet in random order, Chad recognized all of the upper and lower case letters. He recognized his written name as well as those of his classmates and teachers. This year Chad can identify words in his environment. He can read short stories, signs and countries off the globe.
• Last year, Chad was beginning to write the names of his classmates. This year, Chad can write his own name and the names of his classmates, teachers and family members. He uses inventive spelling while at the literacy table. He will create danger signs, maps and books. Recently, Chad used inventive spelling to write "solar system" he wrote it as "solr stm" on a book he was making. The focus of the inventive spelling is the process of applying a letter to a sound, rather than the "correct" spelling.
• Chad continues to have a great interest in books. He listens attentively at group story time. He asks to see encyclopedias and magazines from my office and will request specific library books. Chad will copy words and titles from books.
• Chad participates in story dictations while at the literacy table. He will dictate stories about trains, countries and most recently, the solar system. He contributes ideas during group literacy activities (i.e. What do police officers do? "If people are fighting, they help").
• He is able to answer simple questions about the stories we read and is also able to recall many stories in sequence.

- Gracy E. Kenny