EARLY LITERACY PROFILE (ELP)
CONCEPTS ABOUT PRINT
Concepts about print refers to all the knowledge related to how print is organized and used. The development of concepts about print depends upon children’s exposure and the meaningful interaction they have with print.
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Marie Clay calls concepts about print “the rules of the road,” and writes, “Teachers must teach so that all children become knowledgeable about these essential concepts so they open doors to literacy.”
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The Concepts About Print assessment in the ELP asseses the following:
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Identifying where to begin reading: Understanding the starting point on a page.
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Understanding directionality: Knowing the correct direction to read text.
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Recognizing return sweep: Identifying the movement from the end of one line to the start of the next.
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Recognizing individual words: Identifying a single word on the page.
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Identifying letters within a word: Identifying the first and last letters of a word.
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Understanding punctuation: Recognizing a period and knowing its purpose.
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Tracking print: Following along with the text as it is read aloud.
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Understanding the purpose of print: Demonstrating comprehension that print conveys meaning by explaining what the story is about.
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Concepts About Print assessments in the Early Literacy Profile / Profil de la littératie
ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE
Instructional video on administering of the concepts about print sub-assessment of the ELP.​
Procedure: Choose a simple levelled book (level 2 or B) with 2 lines per page and read it to your class. Narrate the use of concepts about print with your children before the first screening. Assess each child individually. When reassessing, check only the items that were previously unknown, unless a complete reassessment is deemed necessary.
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Hand the child the story and say: “Point to where you should start reading.”
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Say: “Which way should you go?” Check for knowledge of directionality.
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Check for return sweep.
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Say: “Point to one word on the page.”
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Say: “Point to the first letter of a word. Point to the last letter of a word."
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Point to a period and ask: “What is this for?”
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Read the story to the child asking him/her to match the words as you read. Was the child able
to closely track as you read? -
Ask the child what the story is about. Does the child understand that print conveys meaning?
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A note for French Immersion: This assessment can be done in either English or French. However, if a student is having difficulty understanding the prompts in French, it is recommended to ask the questions in English. The goal is not to assess reading ability or French vocabulary, but rather to determine whether the student has a foundational understanding of basic concepts of print.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
Instructional strategies and helpful resources to support the development of concepts about print.
