Pocket charts are great hands-on ways to incorporate Concept of Word activities in the preschool classroom. They offer preschoolers additional time and space to practice tracking print. Pocket charts can be used as a group or independently at a center. The teacher easily changes these Concept of Word activities to reflect the topic and skill levels of the students in their classroom.
Defining Concept of Word
Even experienced preschool teachers may be unsure what Concept of Word (C.O.W.) means. The video below explains what C.O.W. and other reading and literacy terms mean and why they are essential.
Giving Preschoolers Practice with Reading
Setting up a pocket chart center is an excellent way for preschoolers to begin the practice of reading words. Picture clues help the reader to put it all together. Pocket chart Concept of Word activities can accomplish many goals such as:
- Tracking
- Sight word practice
- Number recognition
- Counting
Here’s Another Early Literacy Resource!
Beginning Sound Sorting Folder Games
$8.00This set of BEGINNING SOUND sorting activities will help young learners practice the letter sounds. File folders make these games quick and easy to store. They are perfect for emergent readers at the literacy center or in small groups. This set includes 22 sorting activities.
Pocket Charts for Color Recognition
Not only can pocket charts help with sight words and tracking, but they can also help with color recognition and matching. Any theme can be turned into a color recognition opportunity on the pocket chart. In the video below, the student is reading Pumpkin Color Sight Words. Other ideas for color recognition include:
- hearts
- apples
- bears
- gingerbread
Goals of the Reader
It’s important to remember that the goal is to have the students point to each word as they read with one-to-one matching. The goal is not to have the students sound out or spell the words. If emergent readers are stuck on a word, tell them to move on to the next word.
Using Concept of Word Activities to Develop Other Literacy Skills
Pocket charts have many uses and are a fantastic tool for developing literacy skills. Some of the skills practiced are:
- Following text with a finger (or pointer)
- Reading from left to right and top to bottom
- Distinguishing print from pictures
- Reading simple/familiar high-frequency words
Pocket charts are a fun and engaging way for preschoolers to begin reading skills. The challenge comes in deciding what to put on the chart first!
Read more about the importance of reading on the NAEYC website.
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