Mali's Classroom: Case Study

Author Bryan A. Garner, in his article “Making Peace in the Language Wars” (published in Garner’s Modern American Usage 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, 2009), seeks to negotiate a cease-fire between two fighting countries, the prescriptivists and the descriptivists, by dispelling myths about each of their camps. First and foremost, Garner outlines the war is happening between the lines of our favorite novels and poetry, and he describes what each camp stands for. Prescriptivists desire to instruct the world around them on how to use the language by enforcing, or at the very least informing the general public about the rules of grammar. They are sometimes described as conservative and are very concerned

“Why Grammar Snobbery Has No Place in the Movement” was authored by Melissa a. Fabello. The text focuses on the two main differences between grammar and the effects each have on the feminist movement. The author states, “The debate is in the question of what entails “successful communication”… And there are two schools of thought on this”. The first topic Fabello talks about is prescriptive grammar which she says, “there’s such a thing as one true, honest, pure form of a language and that version is correct or acceptable”. And on the other hand, is descriptive grammar that argues however a language is being used to communicate effectively is correct. With these examples of grammar, the author goes on to explain that with every hierarchy we

Jacob is in the 5th-grade, whom has been diagnosed with ADHD and an emotional/behavioral disorder. He has trouble identifying with children his own age. He can be very aggressive and speaks very loudly. Academically Jacob is currently on a third grade level. He has become very frustrated with school and does not recognize the importance of an education. Because of his frustrations, he will have temper tantrums. Jacob needs constant help throughout the day working through his emotional/behavioral issues (Case Study). This paper will summarize and discuss why or why not an inclusive, resource, or self-contained classroom would provide the best placement for Jacob, and discuss related services, technology, and collaboration models for each possible

From generations to generation grammar has been a big part of the English language. It has also changed since it first develops. From texting complete sentences like “See you later” to “C U l8r” or from using the spelling two and using the number form of it to replace that. Using slang word such as those can ruin a person’s reputation. In the stories of The Joy of Texting by Lynne Truss and I Won’t Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar. Here’s Why. by Kyle Wiens, both show some main similarities for it uses of correct grammar and why it should be that way. Grammar can make or break a person and could cost serious chances in life.

Time and time again, Tan’s mother’s inability to speak proper English is seen by standard English speakers as a sign that she is unintelligent; they believe that the way she speaks is wrong and therefore the things she has to say are not important. This belief is so pervasive that as a teen, Tan herself used to believe that her mother was not smart because of how she spoke. Because Tan’s mother’s speech did not follow the rules of traditional English, Tan “believed that her [mother’s] English reflected the quality of what she had to say. That is, because she expressed them imperfectly, her thoughts were imperfect” (146). Because Tan’s mother speaks in ways that are described as “broken” and “limited”, as a teen Tan felt her mother’s language indicated that her mom was simple minded. However, as Tan grew up, she came to appreciate the beauty and intellect behind her mother’s words. While Tan’s friends comment that they cannot understand a majority of what Tan’s mother says, Tan hears her mother’s speech as “perfectly clear, perfectly natural”, and remarks that “her language, as [she] hear[s] it, is vivid, direct, full of observations and imagery” (146). Tan’s friends seem to hear Tan’s mother’s speech on a surface level; since they cannot understand what she is trying to say, they cannot understand how rich her language is. Just because Tan’s friends do not understand her mother, it does not make the intricacies of how she speaks any less unique. The tendency of standard English

In Sharon A. Myers, “Reassessing the “Proofreading Trap”: ESL Tutoring and Writing Instructions” critiques Cogie’s “Avoiding the Proofreading Trap.” Instead Meyers argues that “language and ... Writing are inseparable (52),” stating that writing center tutors should not be quick to dismiss grammatical errors in a non-native English speakers paper. Learning to recognize that the language used in a paper is heavily tied to the content and argument in a paper. We have to instruct vocabulary and syntax, along with lessons in rhetoric. I strongly support Meyer’s entire paper, and find that I cannot separate grammatical errors concerning syntax in any student writing, from the argument they are trying to establish. In regards, to international

Throughout “Mother Tongue”, by Amy Tan, the author employs the rhetoric devices direct quotations and contrast to convey the relationship between the ability to use language effectively and power. In the essay, the writer discusses the different types of English she and her mother, a Chinese immigrant, use and the results caused by each type. The relationship demonstrates that the more efficiently someone utilizes language, the greater control they have over a situation. Tan’s application of direct quotation helps to support this relationship.

In today’s society, grammar is an origin on which many people are judged. As black students we have a right to speak our language, however, that right is denied when we try to enter mainstream America because our language is not acceptable in the business setting. In some cases, students of color are looked down upon because we speak nonstandard English and we are not capable of speaking standard American English in school or in mainstream America. Because many of us lack the use of standard American English, we become victims of discrimination. In Garrard McClendon’s 2007 interview Garrard McClendon on Black English- Ebonics he states that “There are aren’t teachers bold enough to correct the English of students” particularly black students.

Today in classrooms there will be any students that come from different backgrounds. It is the teacher’s reasonability to make sure that each student feels welcoming in the classroom whether they come from a different background or not. Teachers need to make sure that they know their students and were their students come from. By doing this the teacher can create relationships with their students and the teacher can use that information to incorporate in the classroom.

While reading chapter six from Beyond Grammar Language, Power, and the Classroom, written by Mary R. Harmon and Marilyn J. Wilson, I began to realize how much we become caught up in the rules of the so-called Standard American English. It is sad because people are being judged on their dialect, which is a representation of who people are and where they are from. I have found myself correcting people that have a different dialect, or correcting people that say words that I have been told were not proper language, such as the word ain’t. Standard American English is something that is embedded in our brains at a young age and as we go through school; language is something teachers are constantly correcting children on. Reading about dialect has

In Taylor Mali’s poem, “Totally like, whatever, you know?” , she uses the new societal standardized diction. Using repetitive phrases such as, “you know, like, whatever, totally”, exemplifies the way Society speaks their mind. In the first stanza of the Mali’s poem, it begins with stating her claim in the form of a question, “It has somehow become uncool, to sound like you know what you’re talking about?”.

In the narrative essay, “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan, the author sets out the story between her mother, whose English is her second language, and Tan herself can speak native English very well. The essay covers the tonal shift of Amy Tan 's psychological change, from grudge to understanding. Although she begins the essay saying, " I am not a scholar of English or literature. I cannot give you much more than personal opinions on the English language and its variations in the country or others." The essay uses personal narrative and pathos to tell us that language is not the only key to communication. But sometimes, people use it as a tool to measure individual value.

This quote is allot like my first quote because they are taught to repeat the some words from a young age. It is understandable to hvae some sort of grammar correcting system but not to the extent described in the book. B: You have to apply for most things or become of age to use it.

The overall functioning of a classroom is impacted by trust, safety, and consistency. When a student does not feel safe he or she will reflect this through his or her behavior. Trust is important for students to take risks and allow learning to occur in the classroom. Trust, safety, and consistency are beneficial in the learning environment. A classroom where students feel safe, realize the teacher is consistent, and trust is developed, will allow students to grow and change socially, emotionally, and academically. This will offer a positive learning environment.

It is a common and well known saying that history repeats itself. This saying has more to it than the literal definition of it, it means we need to study it and learn from it, in order to avoid repetition. Often times we have that opportunity to study and learn from history in a way that can impact the future, in a hopefully positive way. In terms of education, improvement and innovation is always a top priority. If we can properly combine the study of other cultures with the study of history, we can have an extremely effective tool for learning ways to positively impact our own generation and future. In this essay, I will attempt to uncover the differences between current education and traditional African education, with intention of learning how to apply it today. The idea behind studying history is that it is a vital part of learning and adopting successful techniques and a good tool for avoiding the repetition of mistakes. If pre-colonial Africa can have success without the resources and technologies we have today, then it is valuable to invest time and effort in mirroring some of their methods.