Thanks for your explanation of "whole language". I found it very
informative.
Based on this description:
-> Components include: Language experience approach where children
-> dictate thoughts to the teacher; sight-whole word and phonics;
-> exposure to quality literature; daily reading aloud to the class from
-> quality literature; a book corner in the room; games that help with
-> memory practice and other skill development; children write about
-> their own experiences, create stories and poems; the classroom is
-> "print rich" (print in every area of the classroom) -- there are
-> posters and other things that the children can "read;" socialization
-> opportunities; drama; (others may be able to add to this list)
Plus your descriptions of drama, nursery rhymes, journals, etc..
I would say that my daughter's 2nd grade class used a "whole language"
approach. I couldn't believe how, as you say, "print rich" the classroom
was when I visited it on a couple of occasions (especially Open House
night). They also did a lot of the other activities you mention.
Sheila
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