# User's Guide to the Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation Tool, K-3 (ELLCO K-3), Research Edition

[Look Inside >](/content/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/UsersGuideToTheEarlyLanguageandLiteracyClassroomObservationToolK-3ELLCOExcerpt.pdf)

**Authors:** [Miriam W. Smith, Ed.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=3339&Name=Miriam+Smith,Ed.D.), [Joanne P. Brady, M.Ed.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=3414&Name=Joanne+Brady,M.Ed.), [Nancy Clark-Chiarelli, Ed.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=3421&Name=Nancy+Clark-Chiarelli,Ed.D.)  
**Field:** Early Childhood, K-12

The comprehensive user's guide to the updated edition of the highly successful tool that strengthens the classroom environment and improves childhood literacy and language development.

|     |     |
| --- | --- |
| **STOCK NUMBER** | **ISBN** |
| 69483 | 978-1-55766-948-3 |
| **COPYRIGHT** | **PAGES** |
| 2008 | 104 |

**SAVE when you [order the _ELLCO K–3 User's Guide_ and _ELLCO K–3 Tool_ together](http://products.brookespublishing.com/ELLCO-K-3-Set-P805.aspx)!**

Trusted by schools across the country, _ELLCO_ helps build better literacy programs by assessing the quality of both the classroom environment and teachers' practices. With _ELLCO_, educators reliably gather the essential data needed for professional development and program improvement that lead to better literacy outcomes for young children. These two NEW editions of _ELLCO_ are even better because they're

- **Age-specific.** Assessment is effective and accurate with the new _ELLCO_ editions, designed especially for preschool and early elementary environments. _ELLCO Pre-K_ prompts users to look for preliteracy activities like storybook reading, circle time conversations, and child-originated storywriting, while _ELLCO K–3_ has been reworked to reflect the evolving literacy skills of K–3 students.
- **Streamlined.** Each new edition of _ELLCO_ has just two parts: a classroom observation to gather critical information about 5 key elements of the literacy environment, and a teacher interview, which supplements the observation with educators' firsthand reflections.
- **Easier to administer.** Users will get complete information about conducting classroom observations, scoring accurately, and limiting bias. They'll also get helpful descriptors for all 5 levels of the rating scale.
- **Informed by user feedback.** The new editions of _ELLCO_ were created using feedback from the education professionals who know the tool best.

**Measure 5 key literacy elements:**

- classroom structure
- curriculum
- the language environment
- books and book reading opportunities
- print and early writing supports

The User's Guide is part of _ELLCO_, the bestselling classroom observation tool that helps schools assess the quality of literacy practices and supports and give children the best possible start in language and literacy development. Trusted by schools across the country, _ELLCO_ helps educators reliably gather the data needed for professional development and program improvement, leading to better literacy outcomes for young children.

Learn more about [_ELLCO Pre-K_](/content/resource-center/screening-and-assessment/ellco/ellco-pre-k/index.html) and [_ELLCO K–3_](/content/resource-center/screening-and-assessment/ellco/ellco-k-3/index.html).

## Reviews

> "Offer[s] classroom teachers a fresh approach to developing and promoting the literacy skills of young children."  
> —The Midwest Book Review, September 1, 2008

> "Captures the essence of good teaching where indirect as well as direct styles of interaction are valued and where children are supported in developing their own knowledge."  
> —Betty Bunce, Clinical Professor and Director of Language Acquisition Preschool, Department of Speech Language Hearing, University of Kansas, January 24, 2008

> "This exemplary resource is a must–have . . . I use it all the time and find the data it provides to be valid and reliable indices of the early childhood classroom environment."  
> —Laura Justice, Professor, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, January 24, 2008

> "An organizing and validating instrument that helps classrooms to transform into zones of inquiry and conscious communication."  
> —Cynthia Gehrie, Ethnographer, Consultant for Documentation and Professional Development, Early Reading First grant, Northeastern Illinois University, January 24, 2008

> "The perfect tool . . . for those of us who seek to close the opportunity–to–learn gap during the early learning years."  
> —Maurice Sykes, Executive Director, Early Childhood Leadership Institute, January 24, 2008

**Authors:** [Miriam W. Smith Ed.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=3339&Name=Miriam+W.+Smith+Ed.D.), [Joanne P. Brady M.Ed.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=3414&Name=Joanne+P.+Brady+M.Ed.), [Nancy Clark-Chiarelli Ed.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=3421&Name=Nancy+Clark-Chiarelli+Ed.D.)