An approach to teaching reading and writing through the use of children's books, poetry, and songs are described. It is suggested that reading be taught by presenting in chart form the words that already have been remembered orally in song, rhyme, or story, such as "Polly Put the Kettle On" or sections from the "Little Red Hen." In this approach, words are put on cards; sentence patterns are supplied by substituting words in familiar rhymes or stories; and oral discussion is used to develop comprehension. The premise of the approach is that children can write easily if they have ideas that are related to each other, words to express the ideas, some pattern or form to follow, and the skill to write the word. (MKM)