Double Entry Journal #3

  Some problems can develop later is that the ongoing reading process is ignored or diminished as kids go through school. Reading is a skill that must be practiced and used throughout our lives in order for us to be efficient and effective readers. Our brains work just like any other muscle and it has been proven the more they are used the better they work, and this directly relates to reading

It has been found that elementary schools hinder later reading by only focusing on the mechanical process of reading instead of the ideas and concepts necessary for reading comprehension which is crucial at later levels.

 

Reading test scores give us some sort of concrete evidence to determine how a student is doing in this area. I don't believe it tells the whole story but it can be very helpful to teachers and people coming up with policies and guidelines to improve reading in our children. It shows teachers what areas students are excelling at and what areas students need more attention and practice with.

I was most surprised that literacy performance isn't standard for students across subjects and that some might have much higher literacy levels in one subject compared to another. This does make alot of sense because a student who is math-oriented will have a much higher literacy reading a math book compared to a social studies or english book.

I know that it is important to teach the vital vocabulary that relates to the specific content area. Students have to know the basic language of the subject area to be able to connect and learn ideas presented to them later on. I always wondered when I was in school why every class seemed to make us do vocabulary assignments and take vocabulary tests but now I understand why knowing the vocabulary for each subject matter is crucial.

Social media is a good example of a discourse community. They are ways of communicating with established norms in ethnic, online, or popular culture. Students can become discouraged or even completely withdrawn if their multiple literacies are ignored. All educators should understand that the way students comprehent different literacies are very important to helping them across other literacies they may struggle with.

I had teachers when I was younger let us pick things to read that interested us. We would have free time where we could read Sports Illustrated for Kids. This helped us be excited about reading and use that experience across other areas of reading. If we were forced to read things we weren't interested in all the time it would hinder the learning experience because students would not be as engaged.

I went to a school that was pretty diverse and I had all types of friends. I do remember taking a sociology class in high school for college credit called race, class, gender. It helped us be exposed to some deeper issues and give us more knowledge on diversity.

      Sources

The National Counsel of Teachers of English. (2007). Adolescent literacy. Retrieved from http://www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Resources/Positions/Chron0907ReserachBrief.pdf

 

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

Journal #2

"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 -- one devised a century ago to justify outsiders' condescension and exploitation."

I chose those quote because I agree whole-heartedly that most thoughts my outsiders are based on exaggerations and lack of experience with what people are really like from this region. You can go to any state or region and find people just like the ones perceived only in Appalachian regions. The stereotypes and opinions lead you to believe that "hillbillies" only exist in this area and that they are to be treated as lesser because of those stereotypes and opinions which are based on misconceptions, lack of knowledge and lack of experience. I have traveled this country and the world abroad and no one seems to think I have some distinct quality of someone from this region only because their knowledge is based on what the world presents to them. I hope eventually people will realize that the people from this region are much more like the rest of the world than the way they are viewed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syUwFmYeSVw

Source
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


ABC news. (Photographer). (2009). A hidden america: Children of the mountains. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syUwFmYeSVw

Journal #2

"I had to ask what the school was doing about this. How were they dealing with this experiential difference so that his learning could proceed? Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

I chose this quote because I think it the main problem well. Schools have not adapted very well to educating those who come in with a deficit in knowledge or different experiences. It seems like schools, administrators, teachers don't feel like it is their responsibility to alter their plans and methods of teaching to accomodate learners who come from different backgrounds based on their experience. We are being prepared as teachers right now to be inclusive and give every student an unbiased and equal opportunity to learn and succeed throughout their schooling no matter what their differences are from society's view of a normal and typical student. I love that we are now starting to focus on teaching those who need the most help or just need to be taught and gain experiences in a different manner.

Literacy knowledge is the basic knowledge of concepts that are the building blocks to reading and writing. There are definitely numerous stereotypes that interfere with literacy instruction and most are from judgemental views from administrators and teachers that certain types of children will not be able to learn to read and write based on disabilities, cultural differences, socio-economic status, parents who can't read, etc. These stereotypes prevent children from receiving an equal right to read and learn, they get passed over and given up on.

I described how schools and teachers allow stereotypes, conflicts, and boundaries to contribute to poor literacy instruction in school. They are only prepared to teach one way and that is to learners who are cut from the same mold and have the same experiences and knowledge about literacy. There is no effort to adapt or adjust instruction based on students with special needs or differences or experiences. It is obvious by research and actual experience and knowledge witnessed by myself that certain types of children who come from higher social classes are treated differently and given more opportunities and chances to be taught and become literate. Children from low social classes or who have parents who cannot read or write are usually passed over and thought of as hopeless and thought of as too time consuming to try to help.

Schools can advocate teachers to get training in different methods of instructing literacy. Many teachers have not been introduced and trained to practice inclusion education. Sometimes it is not their fault, they just haven't been exposed to the practice just like some of their students have not been exposed to the experience necessary to be literate. Once schools and teachers realize the importance of reaching all students no matter what the background and believing that all students can become literate using the right methods and giving them the appropriate time, then we will have much more efficient and effective literacy instruction.

Source
Victoria Purcell-Gates. "As Soon As She Opened Her Mouth!": Issues of language, literacy, and power.

Double Entry Journal #1

Inclusion Education is a way educators and schools adjust, adapt, and innovate to come up with effective ideas and teaching methods to reach all students. It is meant to reach everyone and give every student an equal opportunity to learn despite disabilities, culture differences, race, gender, etc. It is an important issue for education reform through this country. Inclusion is meant to benefit students who may not previously had the opportunity to learn in a regular classroom environment the same as all the other students. It allows students with all different physical, mental, social abilities to be included and receive a fair and equal education experience.

Students with Learning disabilities, physical handicaps, and behavior disorders all benefit from schools who value inclusion education.
Inclusive schools value individuals and make them feel like they are part of a community. They stress achievement and help students reach their full potential. A good inclusive school should have strong involvement between teachers, parents, students, paraprofessionals to make the inclusion and education process be as smooth and successful as possible.

Students who understand the inclusion process and are well-informed and prepared to take advantage of all the resources available to them will succeed in the inclusion education process.

Here is a video on global strategy for inclusion education. It gives alot of information on the subject from a global perspective and level.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRIxcfwN-2E





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

Blackboard link

https://ilearn-fsu.wvnet.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_1_1

Course website Link

https://sites.google.com/site/fsueduc3352/home