When looking at the two different views of reading and the role that each view believes syntax plays in reading, there are some likenesses and differences. While each believes that syntax plays a role in reading, the focus on syntax in reading instruction is very different. The learning view has less of a focus on syntax and focuses more of many other aspects of reading, much of the skills needed for early reading development. The acquisition view focuses more intently, but not always explicitly, on syntax and the materials and activities are rich with sentences that will build a student’s syntactic ability. Both views believe the role of syntax in reading is very important and there must be a greater understanding syntax and reading.
The benefits English language learners (ELLs) receive from Guided Reading are the same as all other students. However, when a modified approach is used ELLs benefit the most. Language learning opportunities gained by ELLs are those that native speakers acquire implicitly. Language and literacy learning opportunities including detailed vocabulary instruction, variables concerning second language (L2) text structure, such as semantics, syntax, and morphology are enhanced and enriched by modification. Some researchers have determined that ELLs are not generally ready for English reading instruction until they are intermediate stage of English language acquisition, while others advocate that reading and a second language are best acquired simultaneously (Avalos, Plasencia, Chavez, & Rascon, 2007, 319). In working with ELLs at
When caught up in a good book, we assume the non-stop reading and page turning action is because of the plot. However, Karin de Weille gives credit to something that does not cross our minds while engulfing ourselves in stories we wished knew no ending. This overlooked literature superhero is syntax. Karin de Weille goes unto detail on just how important syntax is in her article “How Syntax Moves Us”. Through examples such as “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Gilman, Weille is able to put together interesting details on how syntax is like a dance for our minds.
My early reading experiences reflect the history that Vogt and Shearer (2011) describe in the first chapter of Reading Specialists and Literacy Coaches in the Real World. The basal reading programs of the 1970s and 1980s included “leveled readers, phonics activities, and a great deal of comprehension skill practice, usually found on the pages of the accompanying workbooks. The programs also included highly structured, detailed teacher’s guides, with different lesson plans for each of the three instructional groups” (Vogt & Shearer, 2011, p.13).
The Simple View of Reading (SVoR) model suggests that children must have language comprehension and word recognition skills to be proficient readers, Medwell et al (2014). Jim Rose’s report (2006, p. 40) outlined the Simple View of Reading as a useful framework, which would make explicit to teachers what they need to teach about word recognition and language comprehension (see appendix 1). Before the Rose report, reading was defined as decoding black marks, Graham and Kelly (2012). After this the searchlights model suggested that phonics, grammatical knowledge, reading comprehension and graphic knowledge are equally useful tools when learning to read, Ward (2008). The Rose report’s Independent Review of the Teaching of Early reading reconstructed this model and created the SVoR. Rose (2006, p. 38) determines word recognition as a process which allows you to use “phonics to recognise words” and language comprehension as the means by which “word information, sentences and discourse are interpreted.” The SVoR suggests that, to become a fluent reader, the skills of language comprehension and word recognition are equally important and dependent on each other. Gough and Tummer first mentioned this model, as stated that “comprehension is not sufficient, for decoding is also necessary” Wyse et al (2013, p.
he most fundamental responsibility of schools is teaching students to read. Indeed, the future success of all students hinges upon their ability to become proficient readers. Recent scientific studies have allowed us to understand more than ever before how literacy develops, why some children have difficulty, and what constitutes best instructional practice. Scientists now estimate that fully 95 percent of all children can be taught to read. Yet, in spite of all our knowledge, statistics reveal an alarming prevalence of struggling and poor readers that is not limited to any one segment of society:
sometimes it may seem like a teacher is making to students and inventing interpretations, but the teacher actually learned a “Language of Reading”
“ Models of the reading process often depict the act of reading as a communication event between a sender and a receiver of information ”(Vacca et al., 2012). Models are developed to describe the reading process and how a reader interprets language and gains meaning from print. Bottom up models of reading “assume that the process of translating print to meaning begins with the print”, where as a top down model of reading, “assume that the process of translating print meanings begins with the reader’s prior knowledge” (Vacca et al., 2012). The bottom up model of reading is driven more by data where as the top down model is more conceptually driven. When using a bottom up model, letters, syllables and words are used in order to initiate reading. The use of letters, syllables and words helps the reader to form meaning. Where as the top down model is based off of a reader’s prior knowledge and experience. With many different literacy programs, a teacher’s belief system helps to determine how students can best be taught how to read. “One way to examine your beliefs about reading and learning to read is to connect them to theoretical models of the reading process” (Vacca et al., 2012). Depending on the teacher, he or she may have a bottom up approach or a top down approach. Teachers, who feel a bottom up method is best, may feel that his or her students must decode letters and words and feel
Reading is a means of language acquisition, of communication, and of sharing information which is essential in being a productive member of society. If and when a student missed an opportunity to learn the skills necessary for reading, it’s has a profound impact on their lives. As educators we realize that teaching all children to read requires that every child receive excellent reading instruction. We are also aware that children, who are struggling with reading must receive
Phonics advocates have been arguing that in order for children to learn to read, they need to have an explicit instruction in the rules of printed text in order to read properly. The phonics approach has been described as “bottom up” as it teaches the children to decode text and then the meaning and understanding will follow while the whole word approach is described as “top down,” as the children depend on the pictures within the book, form hypothesis and make predictions of the words with the text of the book being read (Wren, 2003).
Syntax surgery is a literacy tool that supports students to understand the sections of confusing texts. Syntax surgery you are literally doing surgery like a doctor but the patient is the word or the reading process. It helps the learner to slow down with the reading process and closely examine every part of reading like punctuation, phrases and words that maybe too critical for them to understand. The surgery helps the learner understand why the author uses different symbols. The students can make many notions of punctuations, nouns and pronouns and unknown words when the mentor is using syntax surgery they are using visual learning and mapping out the text.
“I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” is what Governor Jimmy Carter said during his Inaugural Address on January 12, 1971, but it was not always true. In the texts, “Superman and Me,” by Sherman Alexie, and, “Learning to Read and Write,” by Frederick Douglass there are clear problems of racial discrimination between both authors. There are many other similarities and differences throughout Frederick and Sherman’s demanding upbringing, the most prominent are the main character’s obstacles, goals, and the claims that the author makes in the book.
In this set of materials, the reading passage is a historical definition of the electoral system in the United States of America, and the listening passage describes some negative points of this electoral system.
In most literature, syntax takes a standard form that most can recognize. Despite this standard form, the author still has a great deal of leeway in developing sentences to create moods and convey thoughts. The author may choose longer sentences or shorter sentences. He or she may use larger words that flow or shorter words that help break up the passage. The possibilities are virtually endless.
However, the second method being discussed in this paper, the whole language approach, focuses much of its attention on making sure the student understands and enjoys what he or she is reading. Whole language instruction occurs when a student acquires language rather than learning it through direct instruction (Brooks 35-36). This method is more child centered than teacher dominated, because the objective is for the student to learn how to read through talking and doing rather than through passive listening. Unlike phonics, whole language uses a variety of ways to give students the opportunity to interact with the text they are reading. Questioning, discussing, problem-solving, listening, writing, drawing, and dramatizing are among the ways students interact with text. Students are also encouraged to implement simple strategies while reading such as: reading the sentence and guessing what word will come next, looking at the picture on the page to help figure out the sentence, and also rereading the sentence for clarification. This method also does a good job in allowing the students to engage in text at their own speed and often in their own ways (36).
Karbalaei, Pourzargham and Kazmi (2013) examined the effect of focus on form instruction on vocabulary and grammar learning of sixty-four learners by using visually enhanced reading the text. Results revealed that textual enhancement had a positive effect on two dependent variables on this study which they were grammar and vocabulary learning (as cited in Rahimi, Shabani, 2015).