Resources on Early Learning
Illinois Early Learning Standards
Video & Background
Mack goes through his book from left to right, which indicates that he has some awareness of conventions of print. Mack's stories show some of his understandings about fire and a firefighter’s work. His ideas include (1) fire trucks can be found at firehouses, (2) firefighters in a firehouse may use a pole to get to a lower level quickly, (3) “fireboats” may be used to put out fires on boats, (4) firefighters put out fires, and (5) smoke may indicate a fire. When Mack mentions firefighters going down a pole in the firehouse, one of the children who has been listening comments, “I think—it’s their turn.” This response to Mack’s story suggests that the child is aware that firefighters must take turns using the pole.
Transcript
Mack: One day a fire truck drove into the firehouse, and then the men came down the pole (turns page).
Child: I think—it’s their turn.
Mack: One day there was a fire on a boat, so a fireboat rescued. Today, fireman put out a fire, and then one day a boy was roasting marshmallows at the zoo. And smoke started to come out, and a firefighter had to put it out (starts to turn page).
Benchmarks
| Benchmark | Benchmark Description | How Benchmark Was Met |
|---|---|---|
| Language Arts 1.A.ECb |
Understand that reading progresses from left to right and top to bottom. | Mack turns the pages of his book from left to right. |
| Language Arts 1.C.ECc |
Demonstrate understanding of literal meaning of stories by making comments. | A child listening to Mack’s story comments about firefighters taking turns. |
| Language Arts 3.C.EC |
Use drawing and writing skills to convey meaning and information. | Mack has used drawing and dictation to create a book of very short stories about firefighters, which his classmates are likely to understand because they have all participated in the project. |
| Language Arts 4.B.EC |
Communicate needs, ideas, and thoughts. | Mack shares a book that he has created, in which he incorporates some ideas and thoughts about fires and firefighting. The child who comments about firefighters taking turns expresses an idea related to Mack’s story. |
| Social Science 15.A.EC |
Identify community workers and the services they provide. | Mack’s story describes some of the work that firefighters do. |
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