Language Arts

The domain of Language Arts includes Preschool Benchmarks in: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing

boy at sensory table

Exploring the Sensory Table

Benchmark Videos, Videos
child with mother in garden

The Power of Open-Ended Questions

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
child carrying blue tub

The Blue Bowl

Benchmark Videos, Videos
child standing outdoors holding dandelion

Lots of Dandelions

Benchmark Videos, Videos
young boy painting with hands

‘Look at Your Lines!’

Benchmark Videos, Videos
teacher helping student at table

Maybe We Can Make a Road!

Benchmark Videos, Videos
child doing art at a table

You’ve Got Blue Hands

Benchmark Videos, Videos
child engaged in messy play

Look at It Go!

Benchmark Videos, Videos
child drawing

Looks Swampy

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Resources to Help Serve Dual Language Learners (DLLs)

Resources to Help Serve Dual Language Learners (DLLs)

Blogs, Dual Language Learners
Choose Good Books That Accurately Reflect Cultures and Home Languages

Choose Good Books That Accurately Reflect Cultures and Home Languages

Blogs, Dual Language Learners
Strategies for Developmentally Appropriate “Show and Tell” in Early Childhood Classrooms

Strategies for Developmentally Appropriate “Show and Tell” in Early Childhood Classrooms

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
The Pumpkin Project

The Pumpkin Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
Get Ready to Read

Get Ready to Read

Graphic Tip Sheets, Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
Retelling “Caps for Sale”

Retelling “Caps for Sale”

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Talking About Numbers and Letters

Talking About Numbers and Letters

Benchmark Videos, Videos
child playing with blocks

Busy with Blocks

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Maintaining Home Language Is a Great Gift

Maintaining Home Language Is a Great Gift

Blogs, Dual Language Learners
Learn by Listening to Language: Build Phonemic Awareness Skills

Learn by Listening to Language: Build Phonemic Awareness Skills

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Helping Young Children Develop Friendships

Helping Young Children Develop Friendships

Resource Lists
Children's Play - More than Fun and Games

Children’s Play – More than Fun and Games

Resource Lists
Appreciating the Natural World with Young Children

Appreciating the Natural World with Young Children

Resource Lists
alphabet

Phonological Awareness in Young Children

Resource Lists
Encouraging Literacy Development in Preschoolers

Encouraging Literacy Development in Preschoolers

Resource Lists
Repeated Readings Can Build Literacy Skills

Repeated Readings Can Build Literacy Skills

Blogs, Dual Language Learners
Parallel Talk: A Simple Way to Provide English Vocabulary

Parallel Talk: A Simple Way to Provide English Vocabulary

Blogs, Dual Language Learners
Cracks and Holes Project

Cracks and Holes Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
The Horse Project

The Horse Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
The Music Project

The Music Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
The House Project

The House Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
Tools People Use

Tools People Use

Project Approach, Project Examples
Up Up and Away: The Airplane Project

Up Up and Away: The Airplane Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish…NEW Fish: A Preschool Fish Project

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish…NEW Fish: A Preschool Fish Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
The Cow Project

The Cow Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
The Worm Project

The Worm Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
How Do People Celebrate Birthdays?

How Do People Celebrate Birthdays?

Project Approach, Project Examples
Topic Webs in Project Work: Part 2—Organizing the Children’s Web

Topic Webs in Project Work: Part 2—Organizing the Children’s Web

Lesson Planning in the Context of Projects, Project Approach
Topic Webs in Project Work: Part 1—Creating the Children's Web

Topic Webs in Project Work: Part 1—Creating the Children’s Web

Lesson Planning in the Context of Projects, Project Approach
Helping Children Take Surveys

Helping Children Take Surveys

Lesson Planning in the Context of Projects, Project Approach
Helping Children Sketch and Draw from Observation

Helping Children Sketch and Draw from Observation

Lesson Planning in the Context of Projects, Project Approach
Things to Sit On

Things to Sit On

Project Approach, Project Guides
All About Gardens

All About Gardens

Project Approach, Project Guides
From Door to Door: A Project about Doors and Gates

From Door to Door: A Project about Doors and Gates

Project Approach, Project Guides
Changes in the Trees around Us

Changes in the Trees around Us

Project Approach, Project Guides
Investigating Wheels

Investigating Wheels

Project Approach, Project Guides
Reading Partners: Sharing the Lead in Storybook Reading

Reading Partners: Sharing the Lead in Storybook Reading

Parenting Videos, Videos
Going Camping

Going Camping

Parenting Videos, Videos
The Doggie and the Shark

The Doggie and the Shark

Parenting Videos, Videos
Connecting with Concepts and Skills

Connecting with Concepts and Skills

Parenting Videos, Videos
Dual Language Use During Choice Time

Dual Language Use During Choice Time

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Where the Chick Came From

Where the Chick Came From

Benchmark Videos, Videos
What's in the Box

What’s in the Box

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Two on a Trike

Two on a Trike

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Transitioning

Transitioning

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Tattoos and Teakettles: “Housekeeping” Conversations

Tattoos and Teakettles: “Housekeeping” Conversations

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Talking about Waterslide Models

Talking about Waterslide Models

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Straw Painting

Straw Painting

Benchmark Videos, Videos
“She Goes First”: Cooperative “Housekeeping” Play

“She Goes First”: Cooperative “Housekeeping” Play

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Shaving Cream

Shaving Cream

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Sara Measures

Sara Measures

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Roland Draws a Garden

Roland Draws a Garden

Benchmark Videos, Videos
The Right Word: Conversation and Print During Pretend Play

The Right Word: Conversation and Print During Pretend Play

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Please Pass the Water

Please Pass the Water

Benchmark Videos, Videos
One Morning in the Block Area

One Morning in the Block Area

Benchmark Videos, Videos
One Morning at the Construction Table

One Morning at the Construction Table

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Observing Chickens on the Playground

Observing Chickens on the Playground

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley: Learning Through an Action Song

Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley: Learning Through an Action Song

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Mozart Jazz Freight Train

Mozart Jazz Freight Train

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Mila Sticks With Art

Mila Sticks With Art

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Mila Paints the Fence

Mila Paints the Fence

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Magnets and Cars

Magnets and Cars

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Mack Reads His Book

Mack Reads His Book

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Learning about a Stethoscope

Learning about a Stethoscope

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Ideas about a Marble Run

Ideas about a Marble Run

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Getting to Know Rabbits

Getting to Know Rabbits

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Flubber

Flubber

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Exploring Windshield Wipers

Exploring Windshield Wipers

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Exploring Trees on the Playground

Exploring Trees on the Playground

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Explaining Cradle Construction

Explaining Cradle Construction

Benchmark Videos, Videos
An Engineer Changes His Mind

An Engineer Changes His Mind

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Dustin’s French Horn Model

Dustin’s French Horn Model

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Drawing a Friend

Drawing a Friend

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Creative Movement: The Flower Dance

Creative Movement: The Flower Dance

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Counting Crackers

Counting Crackers

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Counting Chickens

Counting Chickens

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Constructing a Cradle

Constructing a Cradle

Benchmark Videos, Videos
The Clock Repairman and His Tools

The Clock Repairman and His Tools

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Bouncing Balls

Bouncing Balls

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Bethany Draws a Wheel

Bethany Draws a Wheel

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Air and Tires

Air and Tires

Benchmark Videos, Videos
Informational Books With Young Children

Informational Books With Young Children

Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Super Story Time

Super Story Time

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Mother holding child’s hand

Talk Together

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
Talk, Listen, and Learn

Talk, Listen, and Learn

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
Read and Write Together

Read and Write Together

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
Learning by Listening to Language

Learning by Listening to Language

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
Discover Letters and Words

Discover Letters and Words

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
Continuity of Contact

Continuity of Contact

Blogs, Perspectives on the Project Approach
Project Approach: Phase 1—Getting Started

Project Approach: Phase 1—Getting Started

Tip Sheets
child working on a project

Project Approach for Preschoolers

Tip Sheets
children on playground

Young Children Need to Play!

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Learning Activity Kits

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Learning Activity Kits

Tip Sheets
Sharing Books with Your Preschooler

Sharing Books with Your Preschooler

Tip Sheets
mom and toddler at the beach

Learning and Fun on Family Field Trips

Tip Sheets
Encouraging Child-to-Child Conversation

Encouraging Child-to-Child Conversation

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Language and Literacy

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Language and Literacy

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
alphabet

The Gift of Words: Reading and Games

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
The Gift of Words: Conversation and Routines

The Gift of Words: Conversation and Routines

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
Say What You Mean! Talking Straight to Children

Say What You Mean! Talking Straight to Children

Tip Sheets
Active Play Promotes Young Children’s Development

Active Play Promotes Young Children’s Development

Blogs, Dual Language Learners
Creating Books With Young Dual Language Learners

Creating Books With Young Dual Language Learners

Blogs, Dual Language Learners
Comparing Firefighter Coats

Comparing Firefighter Coats

Benchmark Videos, Videos
child looking at tractor

Project Approach: Phase 1—Choosing a Topic to Investigate

Tip Sheets
Learning New Words Through Read Alouds

Learning New Words Through Read Alouds

Blogs, Dual Language Learners
Keep the Conversation Going With Young Dual Language Learners

Keep the Conversation Going With Young Dual Language Learners

Blogs, Dual Language Learners
Summer Family Time Can Help Build Heritage Language Skills

Summer Family Time Can Help Build Heritage Language Skills

Blogs, Dual Language Learners
children playing with blocks

Make Room for Blocks!

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Literacy across the Preschool Curriculum

Literacy across the Preschool Curriculum

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: The Trees You See

Natural Illinois: The Trees You See

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Get Growing: Planters and Preschoolers

Get Growing: Planters and Preschoolers

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children

Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Get Growing: Learning about Seeds

Get Growing: Learning about Seeds

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Get Growing: From Seeds to Sprouts

Get Growing: From Seeds to Sprouts

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
child watching clouds

Encouraging Scientific Thinking: Rain or Shine

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
mom and child drawing

Young Authors at Work: Story Dictations

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Young Authors at Work: Literature Response Journals

Young Authors at Work: Literature Response Journals

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
What’s Next? Predictions at Story Time

What’s Next? Predictions at Story Time

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Using Predictable Books with Young Children

Using Predictable Books with Young Children

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Time for Preschoolers: In Sequence!

Time for Preschoolers: In Sequence!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
boy with watering can

Say Yes to the Mess! Water Works

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
child making a snow angel

Say Yes to the Mess! Snow Time

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks

Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Project Approach: Helping Preschoolers Represent What They Learn

Project Approach: Helping Preschoolers Represent What They Learn

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Project Approach: Helping Children Ask Questions

Project Approach: Helping Children Ask Questions

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Project Approach: Children Taking Surveys

Project Approach: Children Taking Surveys

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
mom and child baking

Predicting: Helping Preschoolers Look Ahead

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
girl writing at table with classmates

The Power of the Pen: Let Children Choose Writing Centers!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
girl drawing

The Power of the Pen: Drawing and Scribbling

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
chldren playing at table

Play and Self-Regulation in Preschool

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Out and About with Preschoolers: Make Some Music

Out and About with Preschoolers: Make Some Music

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Out and About with Preschoolers: Literacy Activities

Out and About with Preschoolers: Literacy Activities

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Frogs and Toads

Natural Illinois: Frogs and Toads

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Mammals

Natural Illinois: Mammals

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Butterflies and Moths

Natural Illinois: Butterflies and Moths

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Rock On!

Natural Illinois: Rock On!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around

Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Birds

Natural Illinois: Birds

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Insects

Natural Illinois: Insects

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
The Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 25.B.ECa

The Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 25.B.ECa

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Social Studies Lesson Addressing Benchmark 16.A.ECa

Social Studies Lesson Addressing Benchmark 16.A.ECa

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 12.A.ECb

Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 12.A.ECb

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 6.B.ECb

Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 6.B.ECb

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 5.B.ECb

Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 5.B.ECb

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 4.D.ECa

Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 4.D.ECa

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 3.B.ECa

Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 3.B.ECa

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 2.B.ECa

Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 2.B.ECa

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 1.C.ECa

Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 1.C.ECa

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Dealing with Distraction

Dealing with Distraction

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
The Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 25.A.ECc

The Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 25.A.ECc

Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
children writing

Cooperation in the Preschool Classroom: Class Discussions

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Getting Ready to Read!

Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Getting Ready to Read!

Tip Sheets
children working on project

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Follow Up!

Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Being There!

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Being There!

Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Preparing with the Children

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Preparing with the Children

Tip Sheets
Developing a Class Album

Developing a Class Album

Blogs, Perspectives on the Project Approach
The Question Table

The Question Table

Blogs, Perspectives on the Project Approach
child with magnifying glass

The Curious Child

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
A Project on Trees: Suggestions for Teachers

A Project on Trees: Suggestions for Teachers

Blogs, Perspectives on the Project Approach
Helping Your Child Learn in Two Languages

Helping Your Child Learn in Two Languages

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
wagon

Project Approach: Phase 3—Concluding the Project

Tip Sheets
children working on project

Project Approach: Phase 2—Doing Fieldwork

Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 2—Getting Ready for Fieldwork

Project Approach: Phase 2—Getting Ready for Fieldwork

Tip Sheets
children with crayons

Getting Ready to Read and Write in Child Care

Tip Sheets