Ready for School provides information and guidance for a major developmental landmark in a young child’s life. Common incidents and a repetitive, behavioral refrain provide easy reading and social direction for these emergent readers.

Comprehension Strategy

Connecting—"Me, too!"

Accessing prior knowledge, building background, finding connections—all of these meta-cognitive strategies provide ways for readers actively to create meaning from text. This simple series about a new, yet familiar, experience is a wonderful vehicle for helping beginning readers connect with a story.

"I do" (Teacher models strategy)

Teacher: "This book is called We Follow the Rules . We just made up the rules for our class. I can connect with this story! Let’s read the first pages. It says, "We line up. We follow the rules." I say, "Me, too!"

"We Do" (Teacher and students practice together)

Teacher: "Let’s try the next page all together. "We sit down. We follow the rules." Is this true for you? I thought so! Let’s all say "Me, too!""

"You Do" (Children use the strategy)

Teacher: "Tell your partner about your bus rules." Continue responding "Me, too!" and discussing how each rule is applied in the children’s lives.

By the end of the series, the children should be able to tell when they read something that relates to their own experiences and use that connection to remember the story and deepen their comprehension.

Textual Supports

Two simple sentences. One matches the picture; the other repeats the title/topic.

The familiar format and the repetitive refrain make this a supportive book for the beginner.

Textual Challenges

Vocabulary corresponds to content, not necessarily phonetically regular.

Picture clues are excellent. Children need to be directed to think about the story rather than always being urged to "sound it out."

ESL Connections

Real school expectations and experiences

Use the theme for each of the books for a photo essay of your classroom learning and playing together. Repeat the refrain, but include the names of the children who are illustrating the concept. For example, "Juan and Muhammad walk. We follow the rules."

Language Acquisition

Finding Words

After you read each book, make labels of the things in the glossary that are also in your classroom. Send home labels of things the students can find in their own homes. Include a few blank cards so other important items can also be labeled.

Integration of Literacy and Science and Social Studies

(Science/Health) Compare home and school in terms of each of the books. A Venn diagram might be a useful way to help youngsters visualize the similarities and differences.

(Social Studies) Learn more about the teams in the area from Little League to pro sports.

Internet Links

www.gettingreadyforschool.com

This Australian site has links to many carefully monitored children’s sites as well as a wealth of information for both parents and teachers. (Teacher and children)

www.connectability.ca/ConnectAbilityWeb/learn/offToSchool/off_to_school/ skills/participate/turns/everydayOpportunities.htm

This Canadian early childhood site provides ideas for parents and teachers and a few read aloud books on sharing and turn taking. (Teacher)

www.inklesstales.com

Pod casts, songs, and other things to listen to and play with are featured on this site. (An adult is needed to locate interactive features for children.)

www.dawcl.com/search.asp

Recommended by the American Library Association, this website searches a huge database of award winning children’s books for selections on particular subjects, genres, age range, etc. Brief annotations included. (Teacher)

Word Study Skills

-	High frequency words: we, the, up
-	We always read from left to right—even on the second line!

Multiple Intelligence Extensions

-	Bodily-Kinesthetic and Logical-Mathematical: Play Mother May I . Review the rules and emphasize how you need to ask for a certain number of steps.
-	Linguistic: Create a classroom contract. Spell out the responsibilities and rights of children, teachers and parents. Have everyone sign it at a school Open House.