Description
Book SynopsisKey Words: Reclaiming Children's Precious Vocabulary is about early and emergent literacy it promotes the concept that each child possesses a key vocabulary of words that are special and magical. These words conjure emotions that can lead them into the enterprise of reading. Words such as mom or love or a sister's name, a friend, or a beloved game these expressions are read by the young child even before they have commenced formal decoding. They are sight words but of a special kind, because they evoke an emotional response. They are called key and each child might well produce her or his own key ring of thirty or forty words. They become the stuff of writing, the personal and the meaningful, in accordance with all of the honored theory about nurturing young writers.This book is full of classroom stories that elaborate the process of a key word approach. The stories are humorous, engaging and inspiring. They are accompanied by specific, detailed guidelines for instituting a key word
Trade ReviewTeachers will find that the Key Words Approach has a wide application in a variety of ECE classrooms: from preschool to primary grades; to a group of students from English language background to a group from diverse language backgrounds, even to a classroom where the instruction language is other than English. The seed of literacy is in each student, and it can grow from every student. -- Wei Li-Chen, early childhood education consultant, cultural boarder-crosser
Key Words is a timeless approach to reach children in our schools where they are and bring them forward into the world of literacy. Reading is about meaning, and what could be more direct and simple than starting with what students know - their vocabulary? Dr. Gann has given the veteran and new teacher access to a reading strategy that can be absorbed into reading programs to enhance the engagement of every child. Its approach to reaching all children is so important in an urban school district. As a principal, I appreciate the ease of use as I am sure teachers in busy classrooms will as well. -- Joanne Bowers, M.Ed, principal, Green Lake Elementary, Seattle School District
Dr. Gann has maintained his commitment to authentic and vulnerable dialogue in his book “Key Words”. I am so impressed by Dr. Gann’s thoughtfulness on his own learning journey, which he exhibits in his explanation for why young people, particularly in disenfranchised communities deserve and benefit greatly from instructional practices that are the norm in more affluent communities. This text will push needed conversations forward on how to most effectively instruct young people in communities where we tend to focus on deficits as opposed to assets. -- Erin Jones, independent education and systems consultant
Table of ContentsForeword Preface Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Unlocking the Key Word Approach Chapter 2: Roots and History Chapter 3: The System Chapter 4: Key Words: A Natural Fit Chapter 5: Cultural Excavation Chapter 6: Movements: Bounding into Writing Chapter 7: Key Words and Whimsy Chapter 8: Books: Authored and Produced in the Classroom Bibliography About the Author
