Overview
A to Z Picture Activities for Literacy is a beginning literacy practice book that gives students an enjoyable way to improve phonics and vocabulary skills from A to Z. Whimsical illustrations highlight simple sentences, beginning grammar, and 888 high-frequency words in exercises that appeal to emerging readers of all ages. The labeled drawings on each A to Z scene are similar to those in a picture dictionary that students can use as a daily reference for writing and spelling.
The units begin with facing pages that show words beginning with the letter and explores their meanings. Then it explores the phonics of the letter – the sounds it makes. Next each alphabetic unit presents vocabulary in topic areas (lexical sets) – Animals, the Body, Colors, Days, Eating, Fruit, Groceries, Holidays, Illness, Jobs, the Kitchen, Music, Numbers, Sports, Time, Vegetables, and others.
It is an ideal book for ESL tutors, classroom teachers, or individual self-paced learners. An accompanying audio CD and audio script provides detailed listening and pronunciation practice.
Applications for the Common Core for ELLs (2010) in A to Z Picture Activities for Literacy
Instruction that develops foundational skills in English
Opportunities for classroom discourse and interaction
Ongoing assessment and feedback
National Literacy Panel (2006) Skills in A to Z Picture Activities for Literacy
Vocabulary – 888 high frequency words, each illustrated and labeled
Alphabetical index for quick reference
Activities with nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs
Word Study pages – plurals, homonyms, compound words
Phonics – 22 pages of oral and written activities:
Short, long and r-controlled vowels
Consonant blends like pl, st, nd
Digraphs like sh, ch, th, ph
Diphthongs like oo, oy, ou, ow, oi
Alternate letter sounds like soft C and Q
Reading – for comprehension and discussion
888 Vocabulary captions
Sentence reading on every page
Sentence practice – using illustrated vocabulary
Basic sentence and question completion — using illustrated words
Original sentence writing and reading with grammar in context
Interrogative and negative forms
Listening and Speaking – Audio CD and script for all vocabulary pronunciation
Chart with audio of The Sounds of English
Partner activities for conversation, questioning and discussion