CHARLES BEAMS spoke of Re: Whole Language 2 to ERICA LONG on 08-19-96
CB>Responding to a message by Erica, to Charles on ...
CB>First of all, let me state that I am no expert, only a critic.  As
CB>for  the issue you raise, "What is the true definition of whole
CB>language  instruction?",  that has not been completely resolved here
CB>in this echo.  BUT, I can tell you that MANY who practice and teach
CB>whole language do  not use phonics nor word attack skills.  In
CB>general, much of what I have  read suggests that these processes are
CB>a "last-resort" skill, and even  then are seldom used.
I thought I posted the "true definition" a while ago.  Time will show 
that the true definition is exactly what I have stated.  Critics ignore 
the real facts regarding whole language and focus on some of the 
failures (where WL failed because those using it failed to understand 
correctly what it was...many thought basic skills were no longer 
important but they were wrong.  Whole language never intended to dump 
basic skill teaching -- I have stated this before).
Charles....when you say that "many who practice and teach whole language
do not use phonics nor word attack skills" you really should be saying 
"Many who do not use phonics nor word attack skills are not really 
teaching according to whole language theory>"
CB> 
CB>I guess the question is - does the "true" whole language process
CB>include  primary instruction and practice in phonics and word-attack
CB>skills 
YES YES YES.....
or,  has the teacher using these skills actually blended
CB>several programs? 
I don't get this one...
 
CB>EL>CB> "Inventive spelling" shouldn't be allowed past mid-first
CB>EL>grade;
There is no such thing as inventive spelling, not really.  Someone long 
ago already invented spelling.  Noah Webster cleaned it up a bit and we 
are stuck with what we have.  Children do have "transitional" spelling 
techniques.  What does one expect when someone is just learning 
something so very new.  Close approximations!  It's real life.  I fully 
agree that spelling correctly needs to be addressed in the first grade. 
When children "publish" their work there should be an emphasis on 
editing procedures including checking of spelling.  That's where 
children's dictionaries can come into play.
  
C The point that critics are making is that a word IS a
CB>spelling  and to try to disassociate the word from the letters that
CB>constitute  it's very existence is to teach VERBAL language, not
CB>reading or writing.   How can it be called reading when a child reads
CB>"qnd" from his journal  and says "dog?"  That's not reading.
You are right....if I had a child who spelled "dog" "gnd" I would have 
some serious concerns.  DOG is a simple cvc word and is entirely 
phonetic.  However if a child spelled "The jragon sad this iszt a plas 
to liv......" for "The dragon said this isn't a place to live.." I would
see the rationale behind the spelling. (this was an actual example from 
a child's writing) Some people say "dragon" with the /j/ sound in the 
beginning and it works well.  For said....sad is understandable.  I hope 
you get the idea.......that isn't to say I would not teach spelling to 
this child.   I would.  But spelling isn't important in rough drafts 
even in the real world.  I'll bet you have a spell checker on your 
computer that you use routinely.  I do....:)
CB>EL>So we do lots of story telling (I hate show and tell!)
CB> 
CB>My wife, who teaches 4th grade, does a form of show and tell everyday
CB>and says it is the kids' favorite time of day.  Talk about a way to
CB>get  kids to develop their verbal skills and learn public speaking!
CB>Why do  you dislike it?
It's not show and tell....it's "bring and brag."  I hate it too because 
many children bring things to share and then just sit there with no idea
of what to say.  Meanwhile I have 25 five-year-olds doing the squiggly 
dance on the floor.  
CB> 
CB>EL>Encouraging, encouraging, encouraging.
CB> 
CB>No one is arguing with that.
CB> 
CB>EL>Writing is hard and why, if you are five, would you want to go out
CB>EL>to  the teacher and let them tell you all the wrong bits because
CB>EL>in year  1 there will be more wrong bits than right.
CB>And I haven't read a single article about whole language that
CB>suggests  that better literature can't be a sound improvement on old
CB>teaching  styles. 
You lead a sheltered life.....
Dan......thanks for letting me butt in......
CMPQwk 1.42 445p
Pardon Me For Jumping In....but I just had to say.....
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