I absolutly agree with quote from the reading. Many children who are great at school have been read to as a child. They have had a lot of experience before entering school so they feel like they are already equipped to handle the situations they are placed in. Children who are left alone and not read to or introduced to any type of literacy tend to not excel in school because they feel like they can't. I believe learning starts at home first. If you work with your children, read to them, show them book and writings they will be able to succeed. Many people think that just because a family is low income and the parents had a hard time in school, the child will also not succeed.
I believe that if you are low income you can still help your child. Talk to your child even if your can't read. Parent should tell their children stories, this can also help develop their literacy.
"...teachers and schools must accept, believe, and act upon the belief that children of poverty are learners, have been learning since birth, are ready to learn at anytime, and will learn."
I believe that no matter where a child comes from be it poverty or upper class, they can learn someone just has to take the time to work with them. This is why I am becoming a teacher. I want to be able to make a difference in some childs life. I want them to know that they are important and can learn and succeed just like everyeone else.
Literacy knowledge is something children develop during their preschool years. It does not mean that they know how to read and write like adults but they know parts of it. For example children think that reading is saying words out loud because this is what they have been introduced to. This is an example of print literacy. Non-print literacy would be knowing that a picture has colors but not knowing what they are.
Stereotypes can really interfere with literacy instruction. If a teacher believes that a student is low class and "ignorant", they feel like they shouldn't waste their time trying to help them learn. They feel like since their parents are "white trash" and illiterate, their child will grow up the same. Schools and teachers contribute to the poor literacy in schools because they do have these stereotypes they should look past. Teachers and principals can deny what these parents want for their children because they believe they don't really know what they are talking about. This can lead to major problems later for the child like Donny in the reading.
If you have a hard time communicating, using language, and have a lower social class these children many times get put aside. Society puts a strong emphasis on speaking right and feel that leads to your intelligence. If you don't speak "proper English" you must not be smart. People have a big misconception that if your can't use language right, you won't be able to read or right. I believe the way you speak has nothing to do with being able to read and write. You will just read and write in your own language, it won't prevent your from doing it.
Schools and teachers can improve literacy instruction by first believing that all students can do it. If they believe in everyone, all students will be more confident and try harder.
I don't believe anyone speaks "proper English". Most people I know have an accent or say words a little differently. I know many intelligent people and they way they talk has no effect on them being smart. I don't think people should be judged by the way they speak, it should be what they have to say that matters.
Resources:
Purcell Gates, V. (2002). As soon as she opened her mouth. In L. Delpit & J.K Dowdy (Eds.), In The skin that we speak: An anthology of essays on language culture and power.
Richard C. Owen Publishers, Inc, (n.d.). Parents-reading at home. Retrieved from website: http://www.rcowen.com/Parents.htm
You demonstrate a strong understanding of the relationship between stereotypes and poor literacy instruction!
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