Supporting Literacy for All Children
opinion Essay
1030 words
There is no doubt our educational system is more complex than ever before. There is much to consider when looking at the balance between theories, proven methods, and the reasons why we chose to invest such time into our children’s education. In this paper I will touch on these theories, methods and the importance of the education. There are many theories surrounding education and what lies within our biological functions that can effect how we learn as human beings. Our book, Creating Literacy Instruction For All Students, by Thomas Gunning goes more in depth of these approaches and theories. Behaviorism is a theory that “stresses observable responses to stimuli”. This approach includes conditioning good behaviors and eliminating unwanted behaviors (Gunning, 4). Another major theory surrounding learning is cognitivism, which is “based on the proposition that mental processes exist and can be studied (Gunning, 4). Under this theory of congnitivism lies Piaget’s theory that each child develops through constructivism, in building their own understanding of the world and the realities within it. Similarly, Vygotsky stresses the importance of social constructivism in how social encounters can change cognitive development (Gunning, 5). The cognitive behavioral approach is to help the students realize their potential by showing them what they must to do be successful. This is important to help the students stretch beyond their conceived notions of failure they may have gained from previous academic issues (Gunning, 6). Under this cognitive behavioral approach lies both the top-down and bottom-top strategies. Finally, the reader response theory challenges the child to construct meaning from the written text. To engage and understand, ... ... middle of paper ... ...e in reading proficiency, according to the Educational Testing Service.3” These theories, methods, assessments along with the evidence of success in reading at home make it clear that it is extremely important we try our hardest to support literacy in every child. All students can learn. It’s just a matter of making materials interesting and relevant to them, challenging them (but not to hard), and supporting them along the way. Works Cited: "Facts about Children's Literacy." National Education Association. National Education Association, n.d. Web. 23 May 2014. Gunning, Thomas G. "Chapters 1 & 2." Creating Literacy Instruction for All Students: International Edition. Boston, Mas.: Pearson, 2013. N. pag. Print. Sathy, Kumar. "Empowering Parents To Help Children Read Like Rock Stars." Education Digest 78.9 (2013): 50-52. EBSCO Mega FILE. Web. 24 May 2014.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that our educational system is more complex than ever before. there is much to consider when looking at the balance between theories, proven methods, and the reasons why we chose to invest such time into our children's education.
- Explains how gunning's book, creating literacy instruction for all students, goes more in depth of these approaches and theories.
- Explains that assessment methods play a huge role in today's educational system. it is important to remember that not all students are comfortable with taking tests.
- Compares how 26 percent of children who were read to three or four times in the last week recognized all letters of the alphabet.
- Explains that the nces1 reported that children who were read to frequently are also more likely to:
- Explains the importance of integrating theories with evidence-based practices and methods in teaching literacy skills.
- Explains that encouraging reading at home is another huge part of a successful academic achievement in reading and writing.
- Explains that the more types of reading materials in the home, the higher students are in reading proficiency, according to the educational testing service.
- Describes the facts about children's literacy and explains that gunning, thomas g., creating literacy instruction for all students: international edition. sathy, kumar.
Related
- explanatory
- analytical
- opinion
- comparative
- Use of Multiple Stretegies to Teach Literacyexplanatory essayLiteracy is the term used when talking about the ability to read and write. It leads to success in K-12 school, post-secondary school, the ability to compete in the job market, and participation in democratic process (Wei, Blackorby, & Schiller, 2011). Teaching young children how to read and write however is a very complex process that requires a teacher to employ a myriad of strategies to help students. When a teacher takes into consideration all the different abilities in a classroom having multiple strategies that help all students become proficient in speaking and listening, reading, and writing, is essential.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that literacy is the term used when talking about the ability to read and write. it leads to success in k-12 schools, post-secondary school, and participation in democratic process.
- Explains that developing a child's speaking and listening skills is an essential part of literacy development. teachers can use simple rhymes to help students develop their phonological awareness.
- Opines that a good reader's goal is to understand the text, and that teachers should help students make connections with it.
- Explains that the final component of literacy is being able to convey meaning through writing. by using multiple strategies for teaching literacy skills, a teacher engages multiple learning styles.
- Describes kirk, clark, larocque, darling, and wei, x. blended curriculum in the inclusive k-3 classroom: teaching all young children.
1153 wordsRead More - The Crisis in Adolescent Literacyanalytical essayFinding a definition of literacy is not as easy as it sounds. The Webster definition says that to be literate is to be” able to read and write.” But to some researchers, this definition is too simplistic, leading to multiple models of literacy. Most Americans adhere to the autonomous model, which falls closest to the standard, dictionary definition. Believers in this form say that literacy is a cognitive activity that students learn like any other basic skill. It has a set of proficiencies that one must master in order to be capable of decoding and encoding text (Alvermann, 2009; SIL International, 1999). A competing theory is the ideological model, which claims literacy is intrinsically linked to culture, and therefore what constitutes a “literate” individual is ever-changing. Society is the largest influence on literacy, according to this thought, and it is affected by politics, religion, philosophy and more (Alvermann, 2009; SIL International, 1999). These two are just the tip of the iceberg. For example, some studies recognize “literacy as competence,” which is a “measure of competence to do a given task or work in a given field,” (SIL International, 1999) such as being computer literate. Although more researchers are recognizing and exploring multiple literacies, the one that most influences American schools is the autonomous, cognitive model – the ability to read and write. For many, it seems a simple task, but millions of adolescents are struggling or reluctant readers, and there are many reasons why young readers have difficulty with reading. XXXXXX------NEED HELP WITH THESIS STATEMENT HERE PLEASE—(This paper will focus on the effects of low reading skills, some of the possible causes of reluctant and struggling readership...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the webster definition of literacy is too simplistic, leading to multiple models. the autonomous model is a cognitive activity that students learn like any other basic skill.
- Explains that many young people experience an increase in demotivation during the move from primary school to middle school. teachers impose strict rules, assign boring books, talk all the time, give answers before a student finishes, and listen to all options.
- Argues that illiteracy is a battle that must be fought head on. many strategies exist to encourage and strengthen readers of all ages.
- Explains that adolescents experience a decline in academic achievement, school engagement, and behavioral problems after the transition from primary school to secondary school.
- Explains that students grapple with literacy for a variety of reasons, and many times more than one issue is to blame.
- Opines that it is imperative that educators begin reading intervention programs with readers of all ages and stick with it until the desired outcome is achieved.
- Explains that granting autonomy to students is a new concept to many teachers, but doing so can increase that much-needed motivation.
2250 wordsRead More - Teaching Literacyopinion essayLiteracy Across Content Areas In our schools today, literacy should not just be a task for the English or Reading teacher. Instead, literacy should be a shared venture by all teachers within all content areas. Teaching literacy in all content areas is important because a teacher with a solid understanding of teaching literacy in his/her content area will tremendously help all students achieve greater success on class assignments and standardized assessments. There are three main points that surround the idea of teaching literacy in all content areas.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that literacy should be a shared venture by all teachers within all content areas. teachers need the necessary skills and knowledge to teach literacy.
- Concludes that literacy should be taught across the content areas and not limited to just the english or reading classrooms in order for students to reach maximum success.
- Explains that teaching literacy across content areas is more commonly performed in lower grades but not so much in higher grades.
- Opines that a teacher who is willing to go the extra step to create an inviting reading environment is key to making reading meaningful to students.
- States that the common core state standards (ccss) are designed to prepare students for success in college, career, and life by the time they graduate from high school.
1239 wordsRead More - Literacy In Americaexplanatory essayAt least 40 million American adults need stronger literacy skills to take advantage of more lifelong learning opportunities (Knowles 12). Low literacy limits life chances, regardless of how it is defined or measured. According to The Random House Dictionary literacy is defined as “the quality or state of being literate, esp. the ability to read and write.” Another breakdown of the word, from the same source is “possession of education.” Basic skills and literacy abilities are widely viewed as necessities for lifelong learning and the development of success among individuals, families, communities, and even nations. Better knowledge about literacy is an essential condition for improving it. Helping children improve their literacy skills can help them develop the capacity for lifelong learning, keep pace with changing educational expectations and rapid technological change, and achieve their life goals. Today in society there are many adults with poor literacy skills who lack the foundation they need to find and keep decent jobs, to support their children’s education and help them mold a literate future. I have taken one small step towards this problem by tutoring at two schools. The more time people put towards helping the youth of America is the more literate our population can become. Every small action can help, even if it is just tutoring at local middle and junior high schools.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that at least 40 million american adults need stronger literacy skills to take advantage of more lifelong learning opportunities.
- Explains klevins, chester, materials & methods-in adult and continuing education.
- Explains stein, jess, the random house dictionary of the english language.
- Explains that the 1992 national adult literacy survey (nals) classified the results into five levels that are now commonly used to describe adults' literacy skills.
1314 wordsRead More - Adolescent Illiteracy in Americaexplanatory essayThe causes of reading difficulties often arise because of learning disabilities such as dyslexia, poor preparation before entering school, no value for literacy, low school attendance, insufficient reading instruction, and/or even the way students were taught to read in the early grades. The struggles that students “encounter in school can be seen as socially constructed-by the ways in which schools are organized and scheduled, by assumptions that are made about home life and school abilities, by a curriculum that is often devoid of connections to students’ lives, and by text that may be too difficult for students to read” (Hinchman, and Sheridan-Thomas166). Whatever the reason for the existence of the reading problem initially, by “the time a [student] is in the intermediate grades, there is good evidence that he will show continued reading g...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that they observed high school students struggling with reading more than the third grade students they were teaching. illiteracy is considered the blackest mark of a person’s finally in school and the greatest failure in the american school system.
- Explains that reading difficulties arise due to learning disabilities such as dyslexia, poor preparation before entering school, no value for literacy, low school attendance, insufficient reading instruction, and/or the way students were taught to read in the early grades.
- Explains that 75% of students with reading problems in third grade still experience reading difficulties in the night grade. with the demand of standardized testing, english teachers need to find ways to help these struggling readers improve
- Explains that there are three groups of struggling readers in the secondary english classroom. the largest group is students that struggle with fluency and comprehension of advanced text.
- Explains that identifying students' needs is important for effective instruction. english teachers need to assess and find out what the students are having problems with.
- Opines that students need to have access to a variety of reading material, such as poetry, essays, short stories, novels, and different genre text.
- Explains that using and teaching various instructional strategies before, during, and after reading can help struggling readers with comprehension.
- Explains that teachers need to implement a variety of reading approaches to help struggling readers see reading as meaningful activity. these include guided reading, independent regain, group reading and reading aloud.
- Explains that struggling readers lose all pleasure in reading and have given up by the time they get to the secondary english classroom. tovani mentioned that teachers must teach students to be better readers.
- Cites atwell, nancie, and christenbury, leila. making the journey: being and becoming an english language arts teacher.
- Cites duffy, gerald g., ericson, bonnie o. and sheridan-thomas. best practices in adolescent literacy instruction.
- Explains that reading aloud and beyond fosters the intellectual life with older readers. the english language arts handbook: classroom strategies for teachers.
2004 wordsRead More - A Comprehensive Approach to Improving Literacy in Americaanalytical essayIn the field of literary reform, there are many problems that arise causing the reformation to be stalled or even halted. In addition to these issues, there are a variety of stakeholders that play key roles in combating these smaller issues that inhibit action on the more pressing one. Through careful research practices and evaluation of actions that stakeholders have previously undergone, a solution that better embraces the mission of these organizations can arise.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that in the field of literary reform, there are many problems that arise causing the reformation to be stalled or even halted. a solution that better embraces the mission of these organizations can arise.
- Explains that there are many programs in place with missions that include an aim to raise the rate of literacy in america, but the number of effective programs is relatively slim.
- Explains that the single biggest barrier to literacy development in the united states and beyond is access to books and educational material. the national academy of sciences' preventing reading difficulties in young children emphasizes the role of parents in promoting early literacy.
- Explains that literacy gaps exist prior to children entering school, so the disparities must arise from conditions outside of schools — parents must realize and assume their roles as being one of the most important influencers of their young child's education.
- Evaluates the effectiveness of programs like books on wheels, parents' roles interacting with teacher support, and playtime.
- Explains that the enrich education program provides an opportunity for american citizens to benefit from being able to participate in everyday activities that involve literacy.
- Argues that programs attempting to change the united states’ illiteracy rate have ill-equipped approaches to the issue at hand.
- Explains that john w. kingdon, a specialist in american politics, stresses the importance of stakeholders and their influence over the success or failure of an organization.
- Explains that the role of each stakeholder in a school district provides an integral part to the entire organization.
- Explains that parent involvement is directly correlated to academic achievement, and that it is the number one predictor of early literacy success and failure.
- Cites booktrust - inspiring kids' passion for reading. brooks, a. c., social entrepreneurship: a modern approach to social value creation.
- Explains engaging stakeholders: including parents and the community to sustain improved reading outcomes.
- Cites lyons, t. s., and fagan, b. on the role of out-of-school factors in the literacy problem.
2038 wordsRead More - Essay On Literacyanalytical essay“Literacy—the ability to access, evaluate, and integrate information from a wide range of textual sources—is a prerequisite not only for individual educational success but for upward mobility both socially and economically,” states Sean Reardon (18). Literacy plays a significant role in civilized society. As Reardon mentioned, literacy is an important part of social and economic progression; therefore, it is unsurprising that thousands of dollars are poured into the education system each year to ensure that students can be considered literate. Reardon continues on to claim, “by third grade virtually all students can “read” in the procedural sense—they can sound out words and recognize simple words in context” (20). However,
In this essay, the author
- Explains that literacy is a prerequisite for individual educational success and upward mobility both socially and economically. in modern times, literacy has been expanded to include visual literacy.
- Explains that literacy is a combination of word reading skills and knowledge-based literacy competencies.
- Argues that literacy has progressed as time has passed and technologies have developed. the internet provides information through videos, colorful images, intricate backgrounds, and oftentimes audio.
- Explains that the internet provides a wide expanse of information without the need for deep thought or intense searching.
- Analyzes how the change in literacy has had a positive impact on the distribution and intake of knowledge.
- Explains that literacy in today's world must be expanded to include the visual expanse of the internet, which has broadened intellectual horizons and changed the way people learn.
1309 wordsRead More - Analyzing a School Literacy Programopinion essayFor this assignment, I completed a survey to assess my school’s literacy program by using a survey that was adapted from by Patty, Maschoff, & Ransom (1996) to analyze the instructional program and the school’s infrastructure. To be able to answer my survey, I needed to go colleagues of mine in the English Department and to my administration to help with these questions. Being a math teacher, we hardly ever discuss the literacy and the students’ acquisition of it in our department meeting during staff development days. Since I am not truly current with literacy acquisition in education, I am hoping to understand more from this process so I can help all my students. I want them to be able to read texts related to math and find information that will be useful to them during the year.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that they completed a survey to assess their school's literacy program. they adapted the survey from patty, maschoff, & ransom to analyze the instructional program and school infrastructure.
- Opines that their school would be considered adequate with both the instructional program and the infrastructure portions of the survey. they would like to see their campus become a more outstanding when it comes to literacy.
- Explains that their school provides diverse texts that present topics at a variety of reading levels. the english department works with the school’s library to find newest books that the students will enjoy and do their best to bring those books in.
- Opines that the greatest need of improvement for their campus is extended time in a school day for literacy instruction and independent reading.
- Opines that since we do not have an extended time for our school literacy program, there is no data to show that it is or isn't working for their campus. they would like to talk more with their administration to see how their after-school literacy programs work.
- Explains that if given the opportunity to chart a new literacy direction for their campus, they would start by doing action research on after school literacy programs conducted in high school settings and how well they improve the students’ skills.
- Opines that students need literacy skills to function as adults, and we have a responsibility to help them acquire those skills. we need to improve our weak characteristics of our campus and use our strengths to develop new programs that will benefit our students’ abilities.
866 wordsRead More - Components of Literacy Development, A listcomparative essayComponents of Literacy Development Phonemic Awareness: The knowledge and ability to manipulate sounds with the spoken words. Phonics: Identification of the relationship between written words and spoken letters and sounds.
In this essay, the author
- Recommends going to the library and helping them choose books that are just right for their reading level or asking the librarian for help in selecting appropriate leveled books.
- Explains that cookbooks offer a unique writing style and often combine letters, numbers, measurements, and abbreviations.
- Explains how to read during transitional times (waiting to leave the house, for an appointment, restaurants, etc.).
- Recommends using a family photo to share stories related to specific family members or special family days, and encourages students to write out the story and retell it to siblings.
- Explains reading fluency is the ability to read written text with accuracy, appropriate rate, expression and phrasing. vocabulary development is knowledge and understanding of words, definitions of the word, and correct context.
- Explains that reading together develops vocabulary comprehension and knowledge that allows children to understand other books and stories later on. they are more likely to want to learn to read on their own if they enjoy being read.
- Asks readers to use clues from the story to figure out something that isn't printed/identified in the book. can they connect ideas, characters, or anything from this book to another book or event?
- Cites national pta's parents' guide to student success. tompkins, g. e. (2010). becoming an effective teacher of reading.
737 wordsRead More - Six Components of Readingexplanatory essayTompkins, G. (2010). Literacy for the 21st century: A balanced approach. (5th ed., pp. 12-286). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that a student's reading capabilities begin development long before entering the school setting and largely start with exposure. as kids are exposed to more and more their noises quickly turn into intentional comprehensible messages and their scribbling becomes legible text.
- Explains that oral language is the creation of messages produced with vocals, as opposed to written text or gestures.
- Explains that many activities that build oral language expose students to letters and the sounds that they make (phonemes). phonological awareness is a prerequisite for learning to read and future success.
- Explains that phonics refers to understanding the relationships between the sounds in words and the way in which they are written in a given language.
- Explains that it's important for teachers to include meanings in their instruction. morphology is the description and understanding of the different parts of a word and their individual meaning.
- Explains that as a person learns more words and recognizes the usage of more morphemes, learning the meaning of new words becomes easier. students naturally build their vocabularies through reading activities, concept maps, and word walls.
- Explains that fluency is one's ability to read accurately, quickly and with prosody. it is measured in accurate words per minute during a reading.
- Explains that comprehension is the ultimate goal of reading. teachers build from simple phrases and sentences in early school, to more complex paragraphs and passages in second and third grade.
- Explains that comprehension requires students to look at individual words, but the meaning of a group of words arranged in particular ways. fluency can only be achieved when students are adequately equipped with grammar and sizable vocabulary.
- Explains snow, powell, sanger, nippold, & schneider, p. (2012). oral language competence, young speakers, and the law.
- Presents solley, j. and tompkins, g., in literacy for the 21st century: a balanced approach.
1759 wordsRead More