The
The Power
Power of
of
Literature
Literature
Community of Learners
Foundation
Literature allows meaning to
dominate. A story that makes sense
is easier to remember. Children learn
to read for meaning. Children learn to
think – analyze, draw conclusions,
figure things out, predict, compare
and evaluate.
Community of Learners
Foundation
Children learn best to be literate
within a book-rich context where
there is an abundance of purposeful
communication and meaning is socially
constructed.
Community of Learners
Foundation
Literature concentrates on the
development as readers rather than
the development of skills.When
children immerse themselves in
literature, they learn to view
themselves as readers.
Community of Learners
Foundation
• Literature provides opportunities to
explore connections and relationships
among people, places and events.
Community of Learners
Foundation
Literature promotes positive self-
concepts in beginning readers. They
develop positive attitudes towards
reading and themselves as reader
Community of Learners
Foundation
Literature promotes language
development. It exposes children to a
variety of language patterns, creative
and figurative language and imagery
which aids comprehension of language
and enhances vocabulary development.
Vocabulary and multiple meanings of
words are best learned and applied
through the context of books.
Community of Learners
Foundation
Literature promotes fluent reading.
Children listen to predictable story
as wholes. When teachers integrate
exercises in predicting and sampling,
they get practice in filling in words
that make sense.
Community of Learners
Foundation
• Literature deals with human
emotions. Students relate easily to
stories that deal with anger, sadness,
jealousy and they have an opportunity
to get in touch with their emotions in
a natural and non-threatening manner
Community of Learners
Foundation
Literature-based
Literature-based
Projects:
Projects: AA Meaningful
Meaningful
Way
Way ofof Exploring
Exploring
Literature
Literature in
in the
the
Classroom
Classroom
Community of Learners
Foundation
• Engagement in literature-based
projects and activities allows
children to develop essential fine-
motor and eye-hand coordination as
well as their expressive and
receptive language skills.
Community of Learners
Foundation
Provides additional time for exploring
story elements e.g. character, plot,
setting, problems and solutions
Broadens perspective through
meaningful interchange about the
story
Community of Learners
Foundation
Provides opportunities to connect
story events with real-life
experiences e.g. The Character and I
Provides opportunities to analyze
problem presented in a story, reflect
on characters’ solution and explore
alternative solutions. E.g. If I were
Alice …
Community of Learners
Foundation
Provides opportunities for making
comparisons e.g. between characters,
solutions, two stories without the
same genre or theme
Community of Learners
Foundation
Provides opportunities to represent
story elements and ideas in creative
and innovative ways
Provides opportunities for engaging in
collaborative work from
brainstorming to planning to
executing
Community of Learners
Foundation
Offers opportunities for problem-
solving, negotiating, decision-making
Offers opportunities for building and
strengthening oral and written
language skills e.g. spelling,
vocabulary, composing sentences,
paragraphs
Community of Learners
Foundation
Offers opportunities for
strengthening gross and fine motor
skills, visual and auditory
discrimination, perceptual skills
Community of Learners
Foundation
• Integrating arts into the story enrichment
activities is valuable to children’s growth
towards literacy. Art allows them to express
their thoughts and understanding about the
story in meaningful ways. Children’s art work
represent an essential step on the road to
literacy ( Church, 2013). Through free
exploration of art materials, children are able
to think and problem-solve which are both
necessary tools for learning how to read and
write.
Community of Learners
Foundation
