Digital Commons Network^™

Encouraging Communication And Community Through Making Books About Shared Experiences, Lisa Boyce, Gina A. Cook, Lori A. Roggman, Vonda K. Jump Norman, Mark S. Innocenti

Course Materials

Classroom Storytelling to Enhance Language and Literacy Skills (C-SHELLS) is a guide for helping preschool children “write” books. C-SHELLS is designed to promote communication by using storytelling and book making activities to promote child language and literacy skills and community by helping culturally and linguistically diverse children engage with peers, understand classroom routines, and develop socially appropriate and regulated behaviors. C-SHELLS helps teachers engage children, get them talking, help them make friends, and increase their school readiness. C-SHELLS activities do this by helping children work together to make picture books based on shared classroom experiences. C-SHELLS uses a simple, fun, …