Double Entry Journal #9

1. What is the strange fact about not learning to read? 

The majority are poor or come from minority groups whose members have faced a history of prejudice and oppression.

2. Why is this fact so strange?

This fact is strange because it is well known enough to be taken for granted.

3. What is it about school that manages to transform children who at good at learning things like Pokeman into children who are not good a learning?

In school, we tend to focus on the "skill" of reading rather then what is fun about reading therefore, taking out what the students might be interested in.

4. What is the differences between a traditionalists approach to learning to read and more progressive educators?

•  Traditionalists approach reading as being skill-based.
•  Progressive educators approach reading as being meaning driven.

5. Is learning to read a natural process like learning to speak a language?

No, because a natural processes happen when a child is exposed to the right sorts of input and environments, which is not usually the case with reading. 

6. What is the differences between natural, instructed and cultural processes and which process should reading be classified under?

• Natural: ALL would learn to read.
• Instructed:speaks for itself.
• Cultural: some will succeed and then teach others.  
• Reading should be classified under the cultural process because it ensures that whatever is being taught that everyone who needs to learn, learns.

7. How do humans learn best? Through instructional processes or through cultural processes? How is reading taught in school?

Humans learn best by doing which is more of a cultural process. Reading is taught in school through an instructional process.

8. According to the author, what is the reason for the "fourth grad slump."

Students who can "read" in the sense of decode and assign superficial literal meanings to text, but can not "read" in the sense of comprehension. 

9. What is a better predictor of reading success than phonemic awareness?

Early language ability, semantic and syntactic skills.

10. What is the difference between "vernacular" and "specialist" varieties of language? Give an example of two sentences, one written in the vernacular and one written in a "a specialized variety",  about a topic in your content area.

Vernacular is someones everyday language. Specialist language is a special learning purpose or activity. For an example of vernacular I might say to a child "I have to take the dog to the animal hospital because he is very sick and he is going to go to doggy heaven. An example of specialist is "I have to to the do to the veterinarian to have in put to sleep.

11. What is "early language ability" and how is it developed?

Early language abilities are prototypes of academic language that is developed at home. 

12. According to the author why and how does the traditionalist approach to teaching children to read fail?

It is not started early enough, and it does not take into account each child's early language ability.

13. Are parents of poor children to blame for their children's inexperience with specialized varieties of language before coming to school?

In my opinion, it doesn't matter if a child is poor or rich if the parent isn't willing to take the time to help their child then the child is not going to learn. I did not come from a high class, but my mom and dad always stressed reading and writing along with other academics. If you don't have the parents help and support it can be a hard and long process getting the child to read. 

14. Did you struggle with reading this text? Why? Are you a poor reader or are you unfamiliar with this variety of specialized language?
I did not struggle with this text because the author did a fine job at giving examples. Reading is something that I have always enjoyed and has been a easy process for me.