Concept of Word
Concept of word refers to the understanding of what a word is-- it has been refered to as the ability to "read the white spaces". Concept of word is demonstrated by the ability to point to words of a memorized text while reading.
Emergent readers do not have a concept of word in print. What they point to as they recite text may not match with the printed words. As white spaces are noted and much talk about words is introduced, children begin to track rhythmically across the text, pointing to words for each stressed beat. Later, as children learn the alphabet and the sounds associated with letters, beginning sounds will help anchor student's fingerpointing-- they know that if they say the word man, their finger needs to be on a word beginning with an m.
Emergent readers do not have a concept of word in print. What they point to as they recite text may not match with the printed words. As white spaces are noted and much talk about words is introduced, children begin to track rhythmically across the text, pointing to words for each stressed beat. Later, as children learn the alphabet and the sounds associated with letters, beginning sounds will help anchor student's fingerpointing-- they know that if they say the word man, their finger needs to be on a word beginning with an m.
Fingerpoint Reading and Tracking
The best way for children to achieve a concept of word in print is for them to point to the words as they reread familiar text. These texts can be picture captions, simple pattern books, poems, songs, or dictated experience stories.
One of the easiest ways to help children make connections between speech and print is to write captions beneath the pictures they draw. First, have the students draw a picture and encourage them to include as much detail as possible. While they are finishing their drawings, walk around and ask each child to tell something about his or her picture. Choose a simple phrase or sentence, and write it word-for-word underneath the picture. Say each word as you write it, drawing attention to the sounds and letters. After writing, read the caption by pointing to each word. Ask the child to read along with you and then read it alone while pointing. They can also practice reading to a buddy and having the buddy read to them.
One of the easiest ways to help children make connections between speech and print is to write captions beneath the pictures they draw. First, have the students draw a picture and encourage them to include as much detail as possible. While they are finishing their drawings, walk around and ask each child to tell something about his or her picture. Choose a simple phrase or sentence, and write it word-for-word underneath the picture. Say each word as you write it, drawing attention to the sounds and letters. After writing, read the caption by pointing to each word. Ask the child to read along with you and then read it alone while pointing. They can also practice reading to a buddy and having the buddy read to them.
Cut-Up Sentences
Write sentences or phrases from a familiar text on a sentence strip. Sentences might come from a book or poem the group has read together. The sentences can then be used in teh group to rebuild teh text in order using a pocket chart. Individual copies can be cut apart for each student to practice. Students could also be given the sentence as a whole, asked to cut it apart themselves, and then reconstruct the sentence.
Be the Sentence
Students can also rebuild familiar sentences by being the words themselves. Write each word on large paper and assign that word to students. Then, have students come to the front of the room and arrange themselves into the sentence. Other students can be asked to read the sentence and check for correct placement.
Nursery Rhymes for Memorization and Concept of Word Activities
Baa Baa Black Sheep
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Little Bo Peep
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Humpty Dumpty
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Little Jack Horner
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Jack Sprat
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Old King Cole
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Itsy Bitsy Spider
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Jack Be Nimble
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Hickory Dickory Dock
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Hey Diddle Diddle
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
More concept of word activities can be found on the following sites:
PALS concept of word activities.
Reading Rockets concept of word activities.
Nursery Rhymes for Memorization and Concept of Word Activities
Baa Baa Black Sheep
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Little Bo Peep
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Humpty Dumpty
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Little Jack Horner
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Jack Sprat
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Old King Cole
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Itsy Bitsy Spider
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Jack Be Nimble
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Hickory Dickory Dock
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
Hey Diddle Diddle
- Picture Rhyme for memorization
- Print copy for fingerpointing
More concept of word activities can be found on the following sites:
PALS concept of word activities.
Reading Rockets concept of word activities.