Reading & Writing
Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas
As we approach the close of the school year, it is worth taking a look at the language development of our learners, language development in the skills of reading and writing. We do this by looking at the definitions of Language, Reading, and Writing, and applying these definitions to the level of skill that our learners have develop and can demonstrate. We do this for the purpose of studying what we, as educators, have taught our learners. We do this to see the growth that our learners have done, so that it may also be seen by learners, educators, and others who have worked in the language development of our learners.
Language
We define language as the communication skills developed by learners. These skills are diverse and developed differently by each of our students. Each learner arrived to our classroom this year with a unique level of language development. By now, those students should be at a higher language development level than they were at when the school year started. Their communication skills should have increased as our students learn from us this year. Two important language skills to focus on are reading and writing.
Reading
Reading is a communication skill that we develop by having access to diverse material that is age and grade level appropriate. It is also developed by introducing and increasing the vocabulary of our learners. Students should be able to read material that is suitable for their age and grade, and be able to show that they understood and comprehend the material they have read. Reading is an essential skill for students to develop for most of the information and knowledge which we have is accessible as reading material. It is because of this that reading should be matched with writing.
Writing
Writing is a communication skill that we develop for the purpose of expressing our thoughts and ideas so they may be presented to others for evaluation, interpretation, and clarification. Technology has allow us to no longer limit our writing skills to calligraphy and penmanship. We are now also in need to develop typing, formatting, and printing as new language writing skills. Writing becomes reading material, and reading material in turn inspires writing. It is because of this that reading and writing should be amongst the primary language skills that our students should develop.
Copyright 2012. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
