Double Entry Journal #9

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

The strange fact about learning not to read are that the students that have the most trouble learning how to read are those that come from a poor or minority background.

2. Why is this fact so strange?

This is strange because a person's "social class" should not take a toll on a student's ability to read and/ or ability to learn how to read but instead the classification of these students is having a negative effect on their learning/reading ability.

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?

The idea of Pokeman is like a game to the students rather than a skill that they are learning. Most students view "instructed" learning as more difficult and less exciting therefore they cling to what excites them and feels uninstructed.

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

Progressive educators lean more towards a meaning based structure approach towards reading while traditionalists practice overt skill based instruction.

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

I feel that although some may think that reading is a natural process but reading is not a natural "almost genetic" process such as language or learning to speak is. There are many people who do not know how to read but can still verbally communicate their feelings and thoughts therefore I believe that reading is not a natural process.

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

In a perfect world, reading would be a natural process and all could read at some point once they have established a basic understanding. An instructed process is that, that is taught rather than genetic or tool based. Reading should be classified under a cultural process because reading allows students to collaborate with the necessary tools in order to provide them with the most effective learning tool.

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

I feel that humans learn best through a cultural process because actually doing what you are learning provides for a better understanding. I feel that reading is taught in school on a more instructional level with a little bit of a cultural process involved such as reading aloud, etc.

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

The reason for the fourth grade slump is that a students academic failure to bring language towards school. Hand in hand with the students comprehension of the material they are reading and being taught.

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

Semantic and syntactic skills also involving early reading and language ability are better predictors of reading success than phonemic awareness.

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 language is a language that is common and used on a everyday basis while specialist language involves special learning activities or assignments.

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

Early language ability is beginning prototypes of academic language that starts at home rather than the classroom.

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

The author states that the traditionalist approach to teaching students how to read is failing due to each child's ability is not considered and that reading is not starting at a young enough age.

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

I feel that this question really depends on the circumstances given. Sometimes the parents of the "poor" children do not contain the knowledge themselves in order to hep their children therefore the children are inexperienced with specialized varieties of language prior to entering the classroom.

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. I feel that my process of learning to read started at a young age as my parents are both avid readers.

Gee, James Paul (2012-10-02). Situated Language and Learning: A Critique of Traditional Schooling (Literacies) (p. 17). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

Double Entry Journal #8

1. What is the main challenge being addressed in the book?

I feel that the main challenge being addressed in this book is to figure out how educators can make reading and learning fun for the students so that they enjoy the content material that they are learning. Often students shy away from material because it is difficult for them to read therefore making children hate reading in general.

2. What does the author mean by the phrase "ways with words"?

When the author uses the term "ways with words" he is meaning that some words can become more meaningful to the student. Just how someone reads aloud or asks someone to do something, etc. can motivate the receiver of the information to succeed rather than just shy away. Having a "way with words" can entice many students to desire the material presented.

3. What is the core argument being made by the author of this book?

I feel that the core argument made by the author of this book is to show how people/students can learn and understand new ways of words and how they are compelled to do so and that this can happen in or outside of the classroom.

4. Give an example of a specialized variety of a language or "way with words" you have learned outside of school?

An example of a "way with words" that I encountered was in high school, my best friend and I took stats for our high school football team. The language in which the plays were communicated would definitely not be easily communicated to those who did not play on the team or work with the team. The "way with words" motivated the team to perform and instructed them exactly how to do so.

5. According to the author, how do people learn a specialized variety of a language or "way with words" best?

According to the author, people best learn a specialized variety of a language or a way with words when they can tie the words into experiences that they have had in the past and how they related their emotions and feelings about what was communicated.

6. If people are to be successful in the 21st century, what must they become?

According to the author, if people are to be successful in the 21st century, they must become " Shape-shifting portfolio people" Defining this term can be a little difficult. It means that they must object themselves to diverse and challenging experiences and adapt themselves in order to accommodate a fast-changing world.

7. The author states that learning academic language is NOT sufficient for success in modern society? Do you agree? Why or Why not?

I could not disagree more. I feel that students must be able to understand the content material in which they are learning or they will not be able to excel within the material and make sense of it.

Citations: Gee, J. P. (2004). Situated language and learning. New York, NY: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.

Double Entry Journal #7

What are some challenges to inquiry approaches to learning?

Inquiry approached learning seems to come as a significant challenge to most teachers as many do not understand the complexities of the task therefore it makes this approach look as if it is unstructured and UN-orderly. I feel that inquiry based learning requires the instructor to let their guard down a little and give up a bit of control over their classroom so that the students can make the most out of the process and be active with in learning a new approach. This may be difficult for the instructors that have taught for many years and believe that textbooks and worksheets are the mastermind behind education.

While many "new-age" educators may think that they have a grip on this challenging yet exciting process, they just may want to be careful as if the instructor does not understand the process of inquiry based learning that the students will easily get frustrated due to lack of background and content knowledge that would disable them to successfully complete this method. Some teachers that consider themselves to be "old school" may not approve this method as it requires more work in assessment of understanding because it doesn't revolve around the usual worksheets and fill in the blank style evaluations.

Edutopia. (n.d.). Teaching for meaningful learning. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/pdfs/edutopia-teaching-for-meaningful-learning.pdf