Teaching emergent and beginning learners requires getting to know students, selecting appropriate texts, and reflecting on lessons. Teachers must understand students' interests to make personal connections. When choosing texts, teachers need balance that meets learners' specific needs. For emergent learners, instruction focuses on exploration, making connections, early writing, and understanding reading. Beginning learners learn to read, need practice, and learn sight words while writing advances. Reflection helps teachers determine next steps, student strengths and weaknesses, and improve their own instruction.

1. Teaching PreK-3
Emergent & Beginning Learners
By: Kaylan Ellis

2. The teaching of reading is something we must
get right if our young students are to have the
world of learning opened to them.
Reutzel & Cooter, 2015

3. How do I teach learners at the PreK-3 levels?
Step 1
Getting to
Know Your
Learners
Step 2
Selecting
Texts
Step 3
Emergent
Learners
Step 4
Beginning
Learners
Step 5
Reflection

4. Getting to Know Your
Leaners
It is essential to understand your students’ interest
and motivation to develop academic and personal
connections that enhance their learning.

5. Selecting Texts
Teachers must have balance when selecting texts for
their students and incorporate the specific needs of
their learners to enhance literacy development.
Narrative Text
Informational Text

6. Emergent Learners
• Discover and Explore.
• Make connections.
• Beginning writing through scribbling stage.
• Make sense of adult readers.

7. Emergent Learners
Work on their oral language skills by describing their favorite animal.

8. Beginning Learners
• Learn how to read.
• Need time to practice reading.
• Learn sight words.
• Writing moves towards the transitional stage

9. Beginning
Learners
Working together to
comprehend, write, and
share the story.

10. Reflection
Teachers need to assess and reflect on instruction lessons :
 To determine the next step in providing students with appropriate learning
opportunities.
 To determine students strengths and weaknesses.
 To enhance their own instruction and knowledge.

11. Effective Literacy
Instruction Includes:
• Teacher Knowledge
• Classroom Assessment
• Evidence-Based Practices
• Response to Intervention
• Motivation and Engagement
• Technology
• Family Connections