Shane
JoJo White, a Boston Celtic Legend once said, “You need to know where you came from in order to know where you are going. We need to get back to the basics, back to the fundamentals of the game” (nbrpa.com).
The Mental Discipline Theory supports the belief that the brain is a muscle that must be exercised regularly. Just a few weeks ago in the news, a report indicated that people over the age of fifty should exercise their brain daily. The study reported that individuals who play puzzles and brain exercising activities are less likely to suffer Alzheimer’s years later. If Plato and Aristotle were still alive, they would be saying, “I told you so.”
The TIP book has been a fun read and I think the format structure of each chapter makes the material easier to understand. I have not focused on the flaws of each theory. Instead, I focused on the concepts in which I found effective. At the start of the new school year I will have a better understanding behind literacy centers due to the Unfoldment Theory. The only chapter I found difficult to read was chapter 5 on Theories of Literacy Development. Most of the theories stressed the importance of a literacy rich-home environment. As a teacher I am limited in assisting children with their home life. In a positive perspective, when I have children I will take advantage of the time I spend with them at home. My home will be a literacy rich-home which will provide my children with a great start to literacy development.
For more information, please go to: whatshanethinks.blogspot.com
Dan
When reading this text and the theories presented in the book, for the most part, I found myself agreeing to the majority of it. With the many theories that deal with home, it is almost certain that the home environment influences the reading ability in the student. Surrounding them with a literacy rich environment, having parents as reading models, interactions with reading situations (bed time reading, taking kids to library, etc.) all play an important role in the development of reading skills.
When it comes to the social aspect of learning, I also find myself in total agreement with the theories presented in this book. Teaching in an urban district, I see children who are less prepared for school due to their environments surrounding them.
When reading this book, I think that all of these theories have relevance in some way. Just like all children are different and learn differently, all of these theories can somehow pinpoint one aspect of learning where there are many. Even with the maturation theory which a lot of people seem to have disagreed with, I can see how educators can think that teachings should start at a specific age. I mean, who came up with the idea that children should go to school at age 4 or 5? I'm sure that the answer has something to do with the maturation theory. I think it is some kind of combination of all these theories that can help explain the mysteries of learning.
NadineFor more information, please go to: whatshanethinks.blogspot.com
Dan
When reading this text and the theories presented in the book, for the most part, I found myself agreeing to the majority of it. With the many theories that deal with home, it is almost certain that the home environment influences the reading ability in the student. Surrounding them with a literacy rich environment, having parents as reading models, interactions with reading situations (bed time reading, taking kids to library, etc.) all play an important role in the development of reading skills.
When it comes to the social aspect of learning, I also find myself in total agreement with the theories presented in this book. Teaching in an urban district, I see children who are less prepared for school due to their environments surrounding them.
When reading this book, I think that all of these theories have relevance in some way. Just like all children are different and learn differently, all of these theories can somehow pinpoint one aspect of learning where there are many. Even with the maturation theory which a lot of people seem to have disagreed with, I can see how educators can think that teachings should start at a specific age. I mean, who came up with the idea that children should go to school at age 4 or 5? I'm sure that the answer has something to do with the maturation theory. I think it is some kind of combination of all these theories that can help explain the mysteries of learning.
There are many theories that have contributed to our overall understanding of reading. Chapters 5,6, and 7 of the Lenses on Reading book describes and synthesizes some of the major theories that surfaced from the early to mid 1900's that have contributed to our current understanding of reading, cognitive development, and cognitive processing.
These chapters addressed some really important elements of reading that has pushed me to challenge my own understanding or reading. I began thinking about how I can blend elements of all some of the theories to somehow create my own theory or understanding of reading. I decided that it still needed to do some more reading and research.
What I actually know about literacy is as follows:
- Reading, listening, speaking, and writing are four component of reading and they are all interrelated.
- Experiences and social interactions that we have early in life affect our ability to read
- All children go through phases (stages) of reading.
- Families affect reading development.
What I would actually love to learn more about reading development:
- Is reading an innate ability?
- Are there parts of reading that occurs naturally?
- (I remember this issue being raised in the chapters)
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