3351 As Soon As She Opened Her Mouth

Quote
“…I believe that we must not allow one more day to pass implicitly cooperating in the denial of educational achievement to significant portions of our citizens and fellow human beings.”
Response
I chose this quote because I have seen this happen so many times. I believe as teachers-to-be we have the power in our hands to change the future.
Questions
 What is literacy knowledge? Give examples of both print and non-print literacy knowledge. Literacy knowledge refers to the concepts children acquire during their preschool years, during the years preceding the beginning of formal literacy instruction, in kindergarten and first grade, in reading, writing and printed language. An example of print literacy given in the text was when the four-year-old boy made scribbles on a piece of paper and thought he had written something that could be read. Even though he couldn’t read he knew there was a connection with words on paper and what gets spoken. For an example of non-print literacy from the reading I refer to the little girl who was about two years old and who didn’t understand that even though her mother wasn’t making sounds come out of her mouth, she was still reading.
 How do stereotypes interfere with literacy instruction? I feel stereotypes have a big impact on literacy instruction. Illiterate people like Jenny are dismissed as unfit parents. Then this prevents schools and teachers from viewing her concerns as legitimate. I feel as teachers it is up to us to treat students as the unique individuals they are. We should not let the stereotypes dictate their potential.
 How do schools and teachers contribute to poor literacy instruction in school? Teachers and schools regrettably contribute to poor literacy instruction by showing favoritism to middle and upper class students, and assuming that just because someone comes from a lower social class they can’t prosper. I believe parents who struggle in low social classes want better for their children than they have and these students should be encouraged regardless of their status.
 What is the relationship between language, social class, and the denial of educational opportunity? The relationship between language, social class and the denial of educational opportunity is immense. Within the first few lines of this read the teacher is already calling Jenny ignorant because of her southern mountain dialect. I think many people do this but it is especially sad when a teacher does it and it affects the education of a child.
 What are some misconceptions about the relationship between language and literacy? First, socially and politically marginalized people are held in disdain by those who hold the power. There is always a generalized belief that they cannot learn as well as those in power. Second, language always seems to play a central role in this class-related denial of educational opportunity.
 What can schools and teachers do to improve literacy instruction? I feel removing all stereotypes and differentiated instruction are the best ways to improve literacy instruction.
 How do you feel about use of the term "Proper English"? People talk differently depending on the situation they are in. So I feel “Proper English” is something everyone should be taught so they have the knowledge and know how to use it. I don’t think it should be such an issue in everyday life that one feels they are losing their identity.

Article
I found an article called Language and Literacy. This article talks about speaking, listening, reading, and writing developing together. This website has lots of ideas for beginning literacy. There are even some research results included on the home page. Those results go right along with this assignment. I'd like to mention one of them-differences in children's home language and culture can affect literacy development.

Tall Tales of Appalachia
Quote
“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.”
Response
I am a fourth generation West Virginian. The people from here are no different than anywhere else. I like to go out-of-state to visit with relatives but I am always ready to come back home to the beautiful mountains that surround us.

I have lived in West Virginia my whole life and quite frankly will probably never leave. I must admit I get frustrated when outsiders feel they are superior to those of us from this great state. On my way to class in the mornings I listen to the radio. The host of the talk show often expresses the same frustrations. They created an “Outlander Tutorial” that I feel is appropriate for this topic.


References
Purcell Gates, V. (2002). As soon as she opened her mouth. In L. Delpit & J.K Dowdy (Eds.), In The skin that we speak: An anthology of essays on language culture and power.

HighScope. (n.d.). Language and literacy. Retrieved from http://www.highscope.org/Content.asp?ContentId=296

O'Brien John. (2003, May 10). Tall tales of appalachia. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/10/opinion/tall-tales-of-appalachia.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm

Stephens, P. (Performer) (2010). Outlander tutorial [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kO0xBc4k5M