- a children’s book writer…
- a poet…
$5.00
Seriously? A children’s book about turtles is philosophical? Oh yes it is! Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss), was not just a writer of children’s books, but a profound philosopher, a poet, a political advocate (sometimes controversial), and a promoter of critical thinking on all levels.
An important factor in translanguaging is knowing the different registers – when to use different tones, words, phrases. It’s important to know which terms are appropriate for specific circumstances. Especially in those languages (such as English) in which there is no formal or informal pronouns, register and tone transmit crucial information. To give our students an even wider prospects in their scholastic and professional lives, being comfortable with – or at least recognising – register is of the highest importance.
An important factor in translanguaging is knowing the different registers – when to use different tones, words, phrases. It’s important to know which terms are appropriate for specific circumstances. Especially in those languages (such as English) in which there is no formal or informal pronouns, register and tone transmit crucial information. To give our students an even wider prospects in their scholastic and professional lives, being comfortable with – or at least recognising – register is of the highest importance.
Studies show that while memorising academic language is effective in the short term – to pass exams, for instance, in the long-term it is an ineffective way of learning terms that students can use in context*. Without having analysed, compared, categorised, and defended their own ideas through the use of these terms, most students will forget their meanings as quickly as they learned them.
What can we do? The solution is easy. We create opportunities for our students to analyse, compare, categorise, and defend their own ideas through the use of these terms.
This scaffold helps students to become personally involved in whatever text they are asked to read. The technique includes using verbal reasoning to aid in the reading of new material – so that the reader has the opportunity to build a mental representation of the text through critical thinking and deliberation. The active dialogue while reading helps students to maintain active nodes (that might otherwise be passive), and the construct of knowledge then becomes stronger and can be accessed longer.
This scaffold helps students to become personally involved in whatever text they are asked to read. The technique includes using verbal reasoning to aid in the reading of new material – so that the reader has the opportunity to build a mental representation of the text through critical thinking and deliberation. The active dialogue while reading helps students to maintain active nodes (that might otherwise be passive), and the construct of knowledge then becomes stronger and can be accessed longer.
This scaffold gives students the opportunity to interact with material through linguistics and visuals. As in the best-planned activities, we also include specific language outcomes. Too often we focus only on content, but being specific about the language structure, grammar and clarity of meaning ahead of time, students feel more supported and are therefore more able to confidently participate. The examples used in this activity come from a Natural Science class on energy. You’ll see how easy it is to adapt it to your lesson.
This scaffold gives students the opportunity to interact with material through linguistics and visuals. As in the best-planned activities, we also include specific language outcomes. Too often we focus only on content, but being specific about the language structure, grammar and clarity of meaning ahead of time, students feel more supported and are therefore more able to confidently participate. The examples used in this activity come from a Natural Science class on energy. You’ll see how easy it is to adapt it to your lesson.