Children's Construction of Literacy Through Writing

Hello Class!

This blog entry takes us to chapter 5, where we will find some things about the process of writing in children, which generally develops in stages that are parallel to the acquisition of oral language, so children even develop their own coded system.

Please read from page 60 to 64 in our textbook and answer the following:

1. What are scribbles? At what age do children begin using them and when do they stop using them and evolve?
2. Why do children start using invented spelling? Why is this process completely logical to researchers?
3. Please explain in your own words the three stages of invented spelling in English, before arriving at standard spelling, according to Temple, Nathan, and Burris (1982).
4. What is Emilia Ferreiro and Ana Teberosky's term psychogenesis about?
5. In your own words, describe each of the three developmentally ordered levels found in children as they construct the written system of Spanish.

Remember that opinions can not be exactly the same, and if you do not answer every question to the detail, you will not get all the points for your comments.

Deadline: Sunday, Nov. 13th, at 11:59pm.

Test Preparation

Hello class!

Please choose three of the following concepts we have learned in class from Chapter 1, 2 and 4 and define or explain them in your own words:

1. The characteristics of how children learn at home
2. The characteristics of how children learn at school
3. The shock children have when they begin school and experience those differences
4. The functions of schools
5. Explain at least three facts about language
6. Explain at least three clusters of concepts that young children should become familiar with over time
7. Explain the term "emergent literacy"
8. Explain the difference between "structures" and "activities"
9. Explain the differences between "competitive" and "cooperative" structures in learning
10. Describe one Cooperative Structure's objective and procedure.
11. Define the term "literacy" according to the dictionary and according to Sarah Hudelson
12. Explain three functions of literacy
13. What is "emergent reading?"

After you explain the three concepts you chose, you must find one of your classmate's answer, read it, and write a comment about it.

Your objective in this entry is to have a final review before the test on Tuesday, so please be truthful and responsible about your answers, because your classmates will be reading them and if they are not correct then you would be misleading them to fail in the test.

Remember that opinions can not be exactly the same.

Deadline: Monday, Oct. 30th, at 11:59pm.

The Structural Approach to Cooperative Learning

Hello class!

Spencer Kagan is a famous author who is well recognized for his research on establishing harmonious classrooms, promoting responsible behavior, improving students' social skills, character qualities, and academic achievement through cooperative learning structures.

Your objective in this entry is to read chapter two on our text, watch the video below, and then write your insights on the following key concepts:
(in your own words, not literally from the book) 

1. Two or three differences between an activity and a structure.
2. Two or three differences between a competitive and a cooperative structure.
3. Explain the steps of  the structures"think-pair share," "Numbered Heads Together" and the benefits for both the teacher and the students.

Remember that opinions can not be exactly the same.

Deadline: Monday, Oct. 23rd, at 11:59pm.

Learning Centers

Hello class!

Every preschool class should have access to all the learning centers, for students to develop many key areas regarding their cognitive and motor skills. Nevertheless, there are certain limitations when it comes to space or resources in most of the schools.

Your objective in this entry is to think about your own classroom. 
There is not enough space for you to set all the seven learning centers. Meaning you must choose only four of them that you consider to be the most relevant for children development.

Which are the four learning centers you would choose to have in your class? 

1. Music Center
2. Art Center
3. Block Center
4. Writing Center
5. Science Center
6. Drama and Play Center 
7. Sand and Water Center

Explain in two or three lines the reason for each one of them you would decide to have in your class. (Minimum of eight lines for the complete comment)

Remember that opinions can not be exactly the same and your participation must be complete.

Deadline: Sunday, Oct. 01st, at 11:59pm.

Multiple Intelligence Test

Good Morning My Dear Students!

Please go to the following website and take a test to see which type of intelligence might be stronger in you:

http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-assessment

When you have your results, write your three strongest intelligence types and the two weakest ones in this entry as a comment. 

Then write your personal opinion on how accurate you think the results are, by providing evidence from your daily life.
 The first comment is going to be my own example, for you to know how to do it.

Remember that results and opinions can not be exactly the same.

Deadline: Monday, September 25th, at 11:59pm.