Penn Literacy Network

Early Childhood Seminars | Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Seminars
Math Seminars | Whole-School Reform Efforts

Reading/Writing/Talking/Listening in the Early Childhood Classroom
(PLN 1)
Through collaborative, hands-on experiences, participants explore the interconnected nature of literacy across the curriculum and develop ways to actively engage students in developmentally appropriate, research-based literacy activities. PLN Frameworks of the Critical Literacy Experiences and the Lenses of Learning are applied to the early literacy experiences of young children. There is a focus on daily read-alouds and experiences with a variety of texts, self-selection and early reading, oral language development, language experience stories, phonemic awareness, and nurturing a love of learning and literacy.

Oral Language and Early Literacies (PLN 2)
This seminar examines oral language and its link to early literacy development, looking closely at how children’s talking and listening abilities help them develop as writers, readers, and communicators. Participants learn and share ways to foster students’ language development and incorporate these ideas in all aspects of their current preschool or early elementary classrooms.

Implementing a Literature Centered Classroom for Young Children (PLN 3)
Teachers explore the significant role that good literature plays in the early childhood classroom. Participants investigate the language and features of picture books, gain familiarity with new and rich exemplars of children’s literature, and receive practical suggestions for presenting and extending literature. The use of language experience stories, beginning journaling, and class-made big books are just a few of the strategies explored. This seminar also includes ways to introduce young children to science, social studies, and math through literature.

Using Language and Knowing Language: Phonics “PLUS” (PLN 4)
Educators develop an understanding of the theory and practical implications of language learning. Participants engage in activities that integrate the PLN frameworks, including language investigations, word making, and word families. In this seminar, teachers develop curricula that enhance students’ oral language skills and introduce them to a systematic phonics approach as part of engaging and developmentally appropriate language activities.