The objectives for Oral Language development for students in Kindergarten include the following:

• Differentiate between a statement and a question
• Formulate both a response statement and a question when appropriate
• Complete a two-step task based on oral instructions
• Demonstrate through body language, art, gestures, and oral responses that some visual and auditory messages are being understood
• Focus and present appropriate information on a single topic
• Listen with understanding and respond to directions and conversations
• Communicate needs, ideas, and thoughts

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Ways to provide students with opportunities to develop Oral Language include Sharing Time. Students can bring objects from home and tell the class about them. Encourage them to elaborate about them in complete sentences. Bringing photos from home is a great way to have them share about their family, events, or holidays.

When telling stories, explain to students that stories have a beginning, middle and end. Use "What happened..." questions to develop a sequence of events. Ask open-ended questions that encourage them to use words such as: but, because, after, since, and while to sequence events.

Pretend reading activities lend themselves well to Oral Language development. Students can "read" illustrations and share with the class or with a partner. They can also take the book home and share it with their family.