Authentic Literacy Experiences in Early Childhood: Balancing Fundations and Heggerty - Part 1
This professional learning course introduces reading and writing experiences designed to supplement your Fundations and Heggerty teaching by integrating phonics skills with authentic literacy practices, boosting engagement, and fostering a love for reading and writing in early childhood classrooms. While phonics instruction is essential, an overemphasis on phonics can lead to student frustration during independent reading and writing. When literacy engagements are meaningful, students' confidence and enjoyment of literacy increase.
Over the course of 6 weeks, we will explore a variety of reading and writing activities that allow students to use their phonemic awareness and phonics skills in meaningful ways. From mentor texts and environmental print to shared reading and interactive writing, these activities give students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of reading and writing, making connections between what they've learned in phonics programs like Fundations and Heggerty and real-life literacy experiences.
This course is designed to support teachers who want to create a balance between phonemic awareness activities with authentic literacy instruction. Through this course, you will learn practical strategies and engaging activities to foster literacy experiences that promote student engagement and build confidence. By the end, you'll be equipped with tools to bring phonics instruction to life through authentic reading and writing practices that students can relate to and enjoy.
Class Sessions:
Mentor Texts & Heart Maps (July 8th)
Environmental print/Neighborhood walk (July 15th)
Shared Reading with Predictable Texts (July 22nd)
Bookmaking (July 29th)
Story Retelling (August 5th)
Interactive/Shared Writing (August 12th)
FORMAT: Synchronous and asynchronous online learning
DATES/TIME: Synchronous online sessions: Tuesdays, 7/8/25, 7/15/25, 7/22/25, 7/29/25, 8/5/25, 8/12/25, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.; Asynchronous online period: 7/8/25 - 8/18/25
FACILITATOR: Natalie Casale
GCRTC CONTACT: Lorena Hurst, GCRTC Teacher Leadership Coach for Elementary Education
FEE: None. Registration is required.
CTLE HOURS: 15
REGISTRATION: https://tinyurl.com/3atdu87d