Children learn language from their interactions with other learners as well as becoming a functioning member in society. They learn through their surroundings, communities, television, books, toys, games, and people.
I think the nativist theories are interesting. Are they implying that some of our parents brain and memory is being passed on to us, or that everyone just has a foundation already layed out in their brain and we just need to make the child aware of it and feed it in order to watch it grow? I don’t know, makes me think. I mean, most children do develop at similar stages and all parents cannot be giving the same nurturing. Unfortunately, all parents do not give their children the necessary attention. Which could be why some develop slower, but it seems that certain skills might be innate.
I think it’s weird though, if we have this innate sense for language, is it the same for everyone of different cultures? Is it just pulled out of us using our native language. Does a Chinese speaking baby differ from the English speaking baby when they are born, and before being introduced to words? Is there a difference in the two brains or is one just trained to use whatever it is born with in the language of it’s parents? What about the adopted baby, say a Chinese baby, and adopted by an American family, raised to speak English. Does that mess with this innate grammar system at all?
I think the article on learning 2nd languages is very helpful and describes the adult learning process of learning a 2nd language very well. I know that I understand Spanish a lot better than I can put it into words. I find it especially hard forming grammatically correct sentences. But I can usually get my point across.
I like the idea of learning one language, say French, and then learning Dutch through a FrenchßàDutch book. Although, I think it would be way too confusing for me. I think the fact that students are learning languages in the early grades now, is a pretty good idea. I think children have an easier time of picking up new information and learning new things.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Essential Questions Blog
From the first article I feel like they are just showing how important books are in a child’s life. Whether they are mostly illustrations, or illustrations and words, it seems that getting children involved with books and learning at a young age is important. I had no idea so many events were out there like this for the younger crowd.
After reading the second article on literacy from wikipedia, I realize the importance of literacy. Literacy is needed for society to function. Most of the points in the article are things we all know, but just don’t truly think about all of the time. They are simply understood, but rarely talked about. In America there aren’t that many cases of illiteracy, at least probably where most of us come from, so we often forget that it exists. Most people who are illiterate probably don’t have jobs, or good ones at that, therefore probably don’t have a lot of money. This would be why they aren’t in our presence as often. After reading this article I see how there are still countries where the literacy rates are so low. Also, its crazy to think about how the whites not allowing the slaves to learn to read was truly holding one of the greatest abilities from them. They were denying them so much. Being literate is like have a power, it is our key to the world.
I feel like we never think about how much our parents and teachers really taught us at a young age. Not just to read and recognize letters and simple words, but to use phonics to sounds out more difficult words. And more importantly to understand all that we are reading.
It’s amazing that the literacy rates have increased in the past decades, yet from 1992-2003, the literacy rates of college grads have decreased. The sad part—I believe it. There are so many more easy ways out these days. Students don’t have to read through something to get by.
In reference to the 3rd article, I agree with Elizabeth that teachers needed to teach more as opposed to reading scripts that were designed for the average learner. Not the challenged, not the advanced. I don’t think that giving each student 45 minutes of personal time and 12-15 hours of individual time will do them much good. They will be much better learning as a whole, and in the end, learning from each other as they move along. I also don’t like how it is the poorer school that is being put through this curriculum and how they seem like they just don’t care since they aren’t the white, English speaking, wealthy kids who are going places in life.
After reading the second article on literacy from wikipedia, I realize the importance of literacy. Literacy is needed for society to function. Most of the points in the article are things we all know, but just don’t truly think about all of the time. They are simply understood, but rarely talked about. In America there aren’t that many cases of illiteracy, at least probably where most of us come from, so we often forget that it exists. Most people who are illiterate probably don’t have jobs, or good ones at that, therefore probably don’t have a lot of money. This would be why they aren’t in our presence as often. After reading this article I see how there are still countries where the literacy rates are so low. Also, its crazy to think about how the whites not allowing the slaves to learn to read was truly holding one of the greatest abilities from them. They were denying them so much. Being literate is like have a power, it is our key to the world.
I feel like we never think about how much our parents and teachers really taught us at a young age. Not just to read and recognize letters and simple words, but to use phonics to sounds out more difficult words. And more importantly to understand all that we are reading.
It’s amazing that the literacy rates have increased in the past decades, yet from 1992-2003, the literacy rates of college grads have decreased. The sad part—I believe it. There are so many more easy ways out these days. Students don’t have to read through something to get by.
In reference to the 3rd article, I agree with Elizabeth that teachers needed to teach more as opposed to reading scripts that were designed for the average learner. Not the challenged, not the advanced. I don’t think that giving each student 45 minutes of personal time and 12-15 hours of individual time will do them much good. They will be much better learning as a whole, and in the end, learning from each other as they move along. I also don’t like how it is the poorer school that is being put through this curriculum and how they seem like they just don’t care since they aren’t the white, English speaking, wealthy kids who are going places in life.
Monday, June 25, 2007
About Me
Hi my name is Michelle Noto. I am in the MAT program getting my teaching certification in Physical Education. I have one more year left and begin my student teaching this coming year in Montclair.
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