1. Literate Environment
In creating an effective literate environment, the teachers need to be familiar with “The
Framework for Literacy Instruction”. The process will help teachers understand students as literacy
learners, select appropriate and engaging texts, and use research-based practices across three
perspectives on literacy learning. Learning to read and write is critical to a child’s accomplishment
in school and later in life. One of the best predictors of whether a child will function proficiently in
school and go on to contribute actively in our increasingly literate society is the level to which the
child progresses in reading and writing. Reading and writing abilities continue to develop
throughout the life span, but the early childhood years are the most important period for literacy
development (NAEYA,1998). It is essential for teachers to be knowledgeable of the “The Five
Pillars” of research-based Literacy instruction which Dr. Lori Helman described in the video segment
The Beginning Reader (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010). Once the teachers understand the five
components, they can successfully create a literacy environment in which all students become secure
in their abilities to read and write. Traditional reading from a book is no longer an adequate teaching
strategy for students to be sufficient in mastering literacy for 21st century skills.

2. References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). The beginning reader. [Video webcast].
Retrieved from http//www.courseurl.com
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (1998). Learning to read and write:
Developmentally appropriate practices for young children. Washington, DC: Author.

3. Literacy Learners
Teachers need to understand the “The Five Pillars” of research-based
Literacy Instruction.
*Phonemic Awareness- The ability to manipulate individual sounds in
words easily.
*Phonics – The match between letters and sounds.
*Vocabulary – Children need a wide range of words to move from oral to
written language.
*Fluency – The ability to read at a natural pace with expression.
*Comprehension – The ability to understand the text.
(Writing – A key progress that can promote reading development.)
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). The beginning reader. [Video webcast].
Retrieved from http//www.courseurl.com

4. Selecting Texts
Teachers need to address the difficult considerations in selecting
texts.
*Readability
*Length of the text
*Text Structure
*Size of print
*Visual support
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Analyzing and selecting texts. [Video webcast].
Retrieved from http//www.courseurl.com

5. Interactive Perspective
Teaching children to be strategic processors and thinkers.
*Being metacognitive about strategy use:
- Choosing the best and most efficient strategy.
- Using different strategies for narrative and
informational texts.
- Setting purposes, making predictions, visualizing,
making sense of text.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Interactive perspective: strategic processing. [Video
webcast]. Retrieved from http//www.courseurl.com

6. Critical Perspective
Teaching children how to examine text:
- Who created the text?
- What perspective might the author have?
- Was the author male or female?
- What was the role of race, ethnicity, or social
status?
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Perspectives on literacy learning. [Video webcast].
Retrieved from http//www.courseurl.com

7. Response Perspective
The reader’s lived experiences are of primary important.
Methods for responding to texts:
- Journaling
- Dramatic response
- Artistic interpretations
- Multi-sensory experiences
- Quiet time to respond
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Perspectives on literacy learning. [Video webcast].
Retrieved from http//www.courseurl.com