Language Experience Approach Lesson

Summary

The Language Experience Approach (LEA) is an engaging writing activity for preschool to early kindergarten students that connects spoken language to written text. Through a shared experience like a field trip or playground activity, students contribute sentences about what they like to play, which the teacher writes on chart paper. The process involves multiple steps, such as reordering sentences, writing them independently, and illustrating their ideas. Ultimately, students take ownership of their words, creating a class book to read and enjoy, which reinforces literacy skills and builds confidence in their writing abilities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Language Experience Approach (LEA) helps young students connect spoken language to written language.
• 😀 LEA is ideal for preschool and early kindergarten students, with potential application for first graders at the start of the school year.
• 😀 A key aspect of LEA is that it encourages students to realize their spoken words can be written down.
• 😀 The lesson begins with a shared experience that all students can relate to, such as a field trip or playground activity.
• 😀 Teachers model sentence writing by transcribing students' spoken sentences onto chart paper.
• 😀 Sentence construction includes a focus on capital letters, finger spacing, and punctuation, teaching basic writing conventions.
• 😀 Students' ownership of their words is emphasized by having them see their own sentences written and read aloud.
• 😀 As students progress, they rebuild their sentences from cut-up parts, reinforcing sentence structure and word order.
• 😀 Differentiated instruction is provided to accommodate varying student abilities, with more complex tasks for advanced learners.
• 😀 The final product is a class book, where students illustrate their sentences, which are then compiled into a book for independent reading.
• 😀 The LEA fosters ownership of language and reading by allowing students to interact with their own words and their peers’ sentences.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the Language Experience Approach (LEA) lesson?

The main goal of the LEA lesson is to show preschool students that the words they say aloud can be written down. This is a precursor to more complex writing skills and helps them understand the relationship between spoken and written language.

What type of experiences should be used to introduce the LEA lesson?

The LEA lesson should begin with a common experience that all students can talk about, such as a field trip or an activity done in class (e.g., a visit to a farm or playing outside on the playground). This shared experience serves as the foundation for writing sentences.

How does the teacher model the writing process for students in the LEA lesson?

The teacher models the writing process by starting with a blank piece of paper and writing a sentence based on what they say aloud, like 'I like to play Scrabble.' The teacher then continues by writing sentences based on what students say, ensuring each sentence is tied to a student's spoken words.

Why is it important to write on blank paper during the LEA lesson?

Writing on blank paper is important because it mirrors what students will experience when they sit down at their desks with writing paper. This helps them relate the activity to their real-world writing experiences and reinforces the connection between spoken words and written text.

What are the steps involved after writing the sentences on paper?

After writing the sentences, the teacher cuts them apart and gives them to students, allowing them to physically hold their sentence and read it aloud to their peers. Students then rebuild their sentences like a puzzle, focusing on word order, punctuation, and spacing.

How does the LEA lesson promote collaboration among students?

Students collaborate by switching sentence strips with a friend, rebuilding each other's sentences. This collaborative process encourages peer interaction and reinforces learning through shared activities.

What comes after students practice rebuilding sentences?

The next step is for students to try writing their own sentences by copying the sentences they have worked with. This is done on sentence strips, and students are encouraged to match their handwriting to the teacher's modeled writing.

How is differentiation handled in the LEA lesson?

Differentiation is achieved by adjusting the complexity of tasks based on student ability. Some students may simply fill in the blanks (e.g., 'I like to play _______ by _______'), while more advanced students are asked to write complete sentences independently, depending on their developmental level.

What is the final step of the LEA lesson, and why is it important?

The final step is for students to glue their sentences onto a blank piece of paper and illustrate themselves doing the activity described in the sentence. This is important because it adds a personal, creative element to the learning, and these illustrated sentences are compiled into a class book for students to read and interact with.

How does the class book created from the LEA lesson benefit students?

The class book allows students to see their own sentences in written form, helping them take ownership of their words and their learning. When students read the book, they can engage with their classmates' sentences and learn from each other. Additionally, students are encouraged to approach their peers for help if they cannot read a sentence, fostering independence and collaboration.