Double Journal Entry # 10

 1.       What are the features of the forms of language that are spoken in a home environment that align with academic varieties of language?

Students are more likely to use and speak with the language that they hear at home than any other type of language. Oral story telling, reading aloud conducted by parents, and video games also influence forms of language spoken within the home environment.

2.       What are the features of Leona’s specialized form of language?

It seemed to me that Leona grouped her experiences in a poetic form. She uses story telling based on personal experiences from her own culture.

3.       Why is Leona’s specialized form of language not accepted in school?

Leona’s specialized form of language was not accepted in school, mostly because it was not understood. Teachers did not understand or recognize what Leona was saying. Rather than taking the time to get to know what she was saying, they assumed she just didn’t know what she was talking about.

4.       Explain the contradiction between the research conducted by Snow et al. (1998) and the recommendations made by Snow et al. (1998).

The research showed that regardless of original reading levels, children in poverty are likely to fall behind so they recommend children to focus on reading as a skill. The contradiction is that these students are expected to excel in this type of environment, when in fact it is working against them.

5.       What other factors besides early skills training will make or break good readers?

Stereotyping has a huge impact on a student’s ability to read. Cultural bias, racism, and social class also have an impact on this. Stereotyping or unfair treatment can cause students to feel slighted and therefore, affect their focus and true ability with reading or school work in general.

6.       Why do some children fail to identify with, or find it alienating, the “ways with words” taught in school?

I personally believe that some students fail to identify with the “way with words” taught in school because it simply is not what they are used to. Their own culture and way of speaking is often overlooked by teachers, so they don’t feel valued. If they feel unvalued or alienated in the school system, then they will likely have a hard time identifying with any other type of language.