Concepts+of+Print

**Definition:** The Concept of Print is the overall understanding of how text is read, this can vary from the direction one reads the text, the correct handling of the book, recognizing what the illustrations represent, and the overall engagement in the story. (Bennett-Armistead, V., Duke, N. K., and Moses, A. M., 2005).
 * What it is: **

· Print represents language. · There are many purposes for print (this is also a part of genre knowledge). · It is print that we “read” (though we also “read” illustrations in a sense). · Illustrations are related to the print. · Words don’t change between readings (usually). · The orientation of letters matters in print (a pen is a pen no matter how you hold it, but a letter could be a p, b, q, or d depending on how you orient it). There is a “right side up” for print. · We open and hold a book a certain way. · We turn pages of a book from left to right (at least when it is text to be read linearly). · We read words from word to word left to right. · Space separates words (part of “concept of word”). · We read from top to bottom (at least when it is a text to be read linearly). We use “return sweep” -- when we get to the next line down, we start back at the left again. · Words, sentences, and texts have a “beginning” and “end” (usually). · Words have a “first letter”, a “last letter”, and “middle letters”. · Additional ideas and uses of: punctuation, capitalization, alignment, and fonts.
 * Elements: **

(Concepts of Print PowerPoint, 2011)

** Why is it important: **

Concepts of print are important because they are the frameworks for further literacy development. This concept is the most basic element to build on. If a child does not understand the concept of print they will not be able to advance in their literacy.

** How they are expected to develop: **

With this aspect to literacy, time is the biggest indicator of how much this concept will progress. Reading from left to right, holding the book the correct way, and being able to identify the title are some of the earliest ways to see if this component is being developed. Different elements of this concept develop at different rates. Once initial development of being able to correctly identify the way to hold a book, the direction words are read in, and other things such as correctly identifying punctuation will develop soon after. There is no official time line of how a child will fully become literate in this component, time will be the biggest indicator of progression (Concepts of Print PowerPoint, 2011).

** How they can be assessed: ** · Check the proper way of handling and navigating a book. · Read words left to right. · Reading words top to bottom. · Have students point to punctuation, and be able to identity the purpose of the punctuation mark. · Recognition of upper case and lower case letters. · Test for speech to print match. · Being able to identify a single letter in a word, a single word, and multiple words in a sentence.

** How they can be taught/ instructional strategy: **

One way to teach the Concepts of Print is through an interactive Read Aloud. An interactive read aloud is reading the text aloud to everyone while pausing to ask questions and checking for comprehension. An interactive read aloud scaffolds children’s understanding of the book being read (Concepts of Print PowerPoint, 2011). An educator should be explaining new concepts as they show up in the read aloud so the student will recognize the overall orientation of the text. Having the right book is key in a successful read aloud. There are many different types of books this could work with such as a picture book, informational text, magazine, or a graphic novel. You can help develop concepts of print during an interactive read aloud by reading the book in front of children and point to each word as you read, talk about parts of the book, and make sure they are understanding as you progress throughout the book (Concepts of Print PowerPoint.)

Here is the link to my PowerPoint from my TE 301 class. This is from my teacher, Nicole Miller. I hope it helps you! Concepts of Print PP