Writing Clearly

Writing is perhaps the highest form of communication that humans have developed.

From the complex structure of computer languages, to the early remnants of hand imprints in caves, and the philosophical discussions in ancient Greece about public oratory vs. written record, writing has earned the top spot in many modern languages.

Writing is one of the last skills that English Learners master on their way to achieving language fluency and one of the first skills that are assessed in a student's progress.

It is a record that we create set to withstand the test of time.

It is written, proof read, edited, rewritten, and published as a final word.

It is open to challenge and criticism, to redaction and correction.

It is used as a source to inspire and create more writing.

It is poems, books, scrolls and scribbles that express thought and emotion.

Writing challenges the writer to conquer the dreaded writer's block.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2019.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Thoughts on Language

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.

Language & Communication: Writing

"Language and Communication"

"Writing"

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas

Defining Writing

Writing is a tactile visual form of communication.  When we write we create a visual communication that can be sensed by touch.  Writing requires that we imprint onto, a tactile material, representations for thoughts and ideas.  Writing is developed through our ability to make marks and leave imprints by using the tools and materials available to us from our current technology. 

When to be Writing

With growth and training we begin to recognize lines, curves, and shapes that we try to replicate by carving, drawing, and inscribing. We use our fingers and hands before moving onto pencils and markers.  We mold clay, chisel rock, and carve wood.  We add our own creative style when replicating letters by creating fonts, adding color, underlining, and making bold traces.  We should encourage each other to develop writing skills from the earliest possible time in our life.

How much writing is good

Although we have established measuring units for writing like words, sentences, paragraphs, pages and essays, we should also keep in mind that we must look at what is being communicated to us through the writing.  Words should be spelled correctly, sentences should be complete, paragraphs should be thorough, essays should be structured properly so that the thoughts and ideas that we are going to convene through writing are clear.

Why should we be writing?

Writing provides for us a concrete record of thoughts, ideas, and expressions.  If the writing is done by many people, with a purpose, after careful consideration of worries and concerns, then writing can become a long lasting example of not only literal meaning, but of a reflection of the human characteristics of thinking, cooperation, development, and growth.  Writing allows us to reach others and share opinions, and if it lasts through time, writing allows us to reach future generations, as well as allowing them to look back at past ones.

Copyright 2012. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.

The Harvest Before Winter

"The Harvest Before Winter"

By: Manuel R. CortezRodas

If we think it

not as a month

but as a time,

then October should be

the time of harvest.

Harvest before winter time

is assessing summer growth,

and also summer decline.

Reviewing new instruction time,

and understanding academic requirements.

Store before winter time.

Year's end planning guide.

Spring's arrival planning guide.

School's end planning guide.

Analyze structure for weather.

Prepare before winter time.

Apply knowledge and experience.

Have practice drills regularly.

As students, as classmates.

Grow during winter hibernation.

October is about harvesting,

storing the summer's growth,

preparing for winter's arrival,

waiting for next spring,

looking toward next summer.

Copyright 2012 MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

ELL Challenges: Communication

English Language Learner Challenges

Communication: More than Translating

By: Manuel R. CortezRodas

An obstacle faced by English Language Learners (ELL's) is communication.  Communication is more than translating.  Translating from one language into English is one tool that students who are ELL's should use in developing their communication skills.  Translating is one tool that ELL's can use for communicating.  Pronouncing, Speaking,Writing, Reading, and Grammar, and are other tools that ELL's can use to develop their communication skills in addition to Translating.  With a combination of these skill developing tools, students who are English Language Learners can better their communication skills in the English language. 

1. PRONOUNCING: This skill helps the student hear the phonics of the English language.  If the student does not hear clarity in the pronouncing of English, the student could misunderstand the correct sound.  The student then would adapt the unclear phonics into their speech development.  It would then require that the student learn the correct pronunciation, and remember not to pronounce the phonic in the improper way.
2. SPEAKING: Having a foundation in pronouncing English sounds and words leads to the development of speaking skills.  As the student is developing pronouncing skills, they should also be developing their speaking skills.  As the student learns, pronouncing should lead to speaking words, and expressing thoughts and ideas with some clarity.
3. WRITING: With the base of having develop the ability to pronounce and speak, the student is ready to begin writing in English.  Writing helps the student create the link between what is heard and said, with what is seen in print.
4. READING: When the student sees a word that is printed in English, the student interprets the writing, speaks it with correct pronunciation mentally, and if necessary, the student  should communicate verbally so that others may hear.
5. GRAMMAR: The student should learn the rules of the language to develop their English communication skills in a successful manner.  It is in developing grammar skills that students will refine sentence structure, essay development, and fluency.

Copyright 2012, MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.