Double Entry Journal #3

1. How does elementary reading instruction contribute to poor literacy attainment for older children?

Literacy is key to school achievement. Improving school outcomes requires that we focus on raising literacy achievement. The goal is to have all children reading on grade level by grade three. Literacy skills are a foundation for success in math, science, history, and other school subjects.

2. What are reading test scores good for?

Reading scores are used  for evaluating students, but also the testing of students is used to evaluate teachers and, in fact, the entire educational system. If reading scores are low then many critics conclude that our schools are failing and propose plans for immediate action.

3. What reality about a literacy myth surprised you the most? Why?

None of the myths really surprised me. After taking the reading content courses I have had a Fairmont State and taking my Pedagogy class I have learned many things about children and their literacy skills. 

4. What do you know about teaching reading comprehension in the content areas? Give an example of a strategy you might teach during a science or social studies lesson.

When teaching reading comprehension in content areas you want to make sure you do before reading, during reading,and after reading. For example, in science if you are getting ready to do an experiment you and you have a list of instructions for the students to follow you want them to read them first and brainstorm about what they are going to do. After they have brainstormed or predicted something you want them to actually do the experiment and have them question what is happening and have them build connections to their predictions. Finally, you want them to reflect and summarize what they did. 

5. What kind of literacy do you have that was not acknowledge in school? (Literacy means being able to use texts and technologies to accomplish one's purpose in the world.)

I think being able to use technology in general is a literacy skill that I have now that was not acknowledge in school only simply because when I was in school technology was not as "big" as it is today.  You can find many texts on the Internet to help you answer questions you might have rather then searching and searching through books.

6. Give an example of a literacy practice.

Reading a map is an example of a literacy practice.

7. What is a discourse community?

A discourse community is basically a community of people who share similar thoughts and ideas.

8. What can happen if students valuable multiple literacies are not recognized as valuable in school?

If a students multiple literacies are not recognized or engaged, adolescents choose not to read or write.

9. Give an example of how a teacher might build on the extracurricular literacy practices of their students?

You could have children act out a certain poem short play and portaying it in different way. For example, having them talk in a different dialect or dressing dirfferent.

10. Describe a time in which a teacher in your 4-12 schooling experience employed one of the reasearch-base strategiest to improve motivation.

When I was in highschool teachers began to use more technology in the classrooms even though we really didn't begin to use a lot unitl I entered college.

11. Give an example from your own K-12 schooling experience that engaged you in multicultural literacy developnment.

I took four years of Spanish and one particular year we had a new Spanish teacher and he was amazing! He was all about teaching Spanish in a fun way, and he also did he best to make us feel like a part of the Spanish culture.

12. What do teachers gain recognition and respect from their peer also do well on?

I think that if a teacher has the respect of their peers that it is for a reason. It can only mean that they know what they are doing and must get the same reaction from their students.

Sources:

Adolescent literacy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Resources/Positions/Chron0907ResearchBrief.pdf

Bolima, D. (n.d.). Contexts for understanding: Educational learning theories. Retrieved from http://staff.washington.edu/saki/strategies/101/new_page_5.htm

Double Entry Journal #2

Quote: "I knew she was ignorant just as soon as she opened her mouth!"

I chose this quote becuase it shows how small minded people are. We shouldn't judge people by the way that they speak. Everyone is different and we have be raised as a society to embrase everyones differences. Just because someone speaks differently from you doesn't make them ignorant or dumb. The way we talk is apart of our identity, but it doesn't define the kind of person we are.


1. What is literacy knowledge? Give examples of both print and non print literacy knowledge.

Literacy knowledge refers to the concepts that children develop in their preschool years in reading, writing, and printed language. I currently work at a daycare and when my children ask me to read them a book I will ask them to "read" it to me. Even though they can't read the actual words they will either make up a story to follow the pictures in the book or if they have heard the story before they might recall certain parts of the story.

2. How do stereotypes interfere with literacy instruction?

Sterotypes interfere with literacy instruction because we live in a society that is ordered by classes and if you are lower class then you are concereded to be at a lower education level, but as most of us "should" know by now you can't judge a book by its cover.

3. How do schools and teachers contribute to poor literacy instruction in school?

Stereotyping is one of the biggest factors in how schools and teachers contribute to poor literacy instruction in school.

4. What is the relationship between language, social class, and the denial of educational opportunity?

I think that it is a linking relationship between language, social class, and the denial of educational opportunity. The way some one speaks can tell a lot about that person. Using correct grammar while speaking usually shows that you have a higher education level. For example, there are several people I know with a low educational background and they lower class who use improper grammar when they speak, but like I stated in question two, you can't judge book by its cover. There are people who come from a well educated background and are upper class who don't use proper grammar when they speak to others.

5. What are some misconceptions about the realtionship between language and literacy?

Most people believe that if children don't understand language first then they won't be able to understand literacy. However, this article shows that even though a child's language skills are not completely developed it does not stop them from experiencing literacy knowledge.

6. What can schools and teachers do to improve literacy instruction?

Schools and teachers need to understand that every child is capable of learning literacy instruction no matter their social class. They must understand that not every child learns the same way, and schools and teachers need to work together to accommodate these students. They must use different strategies and NEVER give up on a student because I believe that in order for one to succeed they need someone to believe in them no matter what and sadly, sometimes, teachers/ schools are the only support system a child might have.

7. How do you feel about use of the term "Proper English?"

I believe that the term "Proper English" does not have the emphasize in today's society as it used to. We are living in a technology world and it is hard to always have "Proper English" when you have texting, instant messaging, and social networks. I must admit it is a pet peeve of mine when people use improper grammar that is obvious. For example, " I don't got any." However, I don't speak like I live in the 1920s. I make mistakes in my speech everyday, but "Proper English" is a term that has been around for a long time and I don't think it is going anywhere. We need to learn when it is okay 
to use it and when not to use it. 

Step #1: Quote: "Having spent virtually my entire life in West Virginia, I can say with some authority that the strange, woebegone place called Appalachia and the hillbillies who inhabit it are a myth."

I couldn't agree with this quote more. I was born and raised in Tucker County West Virginia. If you don't know where that is it is high in the mountains. If we wanted to go to the movies or a major shopping center we had to drive 45 minutes. We work hard for what we have and we apperciate everything we have, but we are far from hillbillies. There are people who live there who are more "country" then others, but that doesn't make them crazy back woods hillbillies. 
Step #2:

This is Our West Virginia is a video that I picked because it shows some of the wonderful things that WV has to offer. It also shows people that we aren't just a "bunch of hillbillies."


Sources: 

O'brien, J. (2003, May 10). Tall tales of Appalachia. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/10/opinion/tall-tales-of-appalachia.html

Purcell-Gates, V. P. G. (n.d.). As soon as she opened her mouth!: Issues of language,literacy, and power. InThe skin we speak. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6DFAmexYq7vMGQxMjI1OTEtMjAyZS00NzJmLTg1OTUtODlmMGQ0ZDIxOTVk/edit?hl=en_US

This is our west virginia . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://youtu.be/qUDMezJR7uc

Double Entry Journal #1

Task 1- Define Inclusive Education and describe the kinds of students "inclusion" is meant to benefit.


Inclusive education is the practice of teaching disabled students as well as their non-disabled peers in a regular classroom setting, instead of separating them into a special classroom. Inclusion is based on the idea that every child has a right to belong and to be included in the school community

Task 2- Name 3 types of students Inclusive Education is meant to serve.
2 Characterics of Inclusive Schools.
1 Strategy that helps students become more responsible and effective in the inclusive process.

1. General Education Students
2. Special Education Students
3. Bilingual Education Students

1. Provide a school with wide support system to meet the needs of all students.
2. Promotes the values of diversity, acceptance, and belonging.


There are many strategies that can help students become more responsible and effective in an inclusive process, but one that I feel is very helpful is having a sense of community. I think it is very important for children to feel like they belong in the classroom. Each student needs to feel that if they weren't apart of the classroom that they class would not be complete.


Inclusion in the Classroom is brief description of how an inclusion classroom setting can benefit all of its students. I liked this video because the woman uses real objects in order to describe how inclusion works. She also does a great job at explaining it and breaking it down for her viewers.


Sources:



Inclusive education. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/learning-disabilities/inclusive-education/


Inclusion in the Classroom [Web]. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=167379



Inos, R. H., & Quigley, M. A. (n.d.). Research review for inclusive practices. Retrieved from http://www.prel.org/products/Products/Inclusive-practices.htm