Abstract This paper looks at how experts suggest that reading aloud to children is crucial in the development and maturation. It examines tips on reading to kids such as giving children time to savor the story you are reading, reading different versions of the same stories for children to compare and contrast and including books that kids have created themselves during read-aloud time.
From the Paper "The importance of reading and reading aloud is crucial to a child's development. Reading aloud enhances learning and exposes kids to a wealth of information and imaginative experiences. Reading aloud to children of all ages encourages creativity, helps to build verbal and non-verbal skills, fosters emotional growth, and helps to develop critical thinking skills. Since children are as unique as snowflakes - every flake different from the rest - they learn at various levels."
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of reading aloud to children, specifically toddlers aged 1-2. The document is based on real life experience. It looks at how during the formative years, young children develop attitudes that will influence their actions in the years to come. Parents thus need to lay the foundation for a close relationship marked by confidence, mutual respect and understanding.
From the Paper "Contemporary research supports the notion that the brains of infants that babies can comprehend certain concepts before they can communicate them. Child development experts suggest that babies can count and remember events and solve simple problems (i.e. shaking a baby rattle to hear its soothing rhythm) ("Babies Have", 2005). As babies grow and mature they start to recognize familiar faces, speech patterns of caregivers, see life in colour, and develop the sensation of taste. A baby's brain works hard to process new sensory experiences and quickly stores that information for future use when they can talk, walk and interact with their environment ("Babies Have", 2005). "
Abstract As the world has become increasingly more global, interests in second language acquisition has also increased. More specifically second language acquisition as it pertains to the second language classroom has become a focal point. This paper examines conversation analysis, stimulated recall and the "Think Aloud Method". It compares the different approaches to theory and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each system.
Outline
Introduction
Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Classrooms
Conversation Analysis
Analysis Utilizing Conversational Analysis
Advantages and Disadvantages of Conversation Analysis
Stimulated Recall Methodology
Utilizing the Stimulated Recall Method
Case Study Using Stimulated Recall
Advantages and Disadvantages
Think Aloud Method
Advantages and Disadvantages
Conclusion
From the Paper "Although the stimulated recall method has been utilized quite often in second language research Gass and Mackey (2000) report that the method has been severely criticized throughout its history. According the authors the most problematic aspect of stimulated recall is whether or not the findings actually reflect the though processes of the participants. For instance the authors explain that the retrospective report compiled by the researcher "is directly accessible and available for verbal reporting. This assumption is better justified with only a small amount of intervening time between the event and the recall. "
From the Paper "This paper delineates and discusses current research on reading aloud to children from infancy to school age. The purpose of the paper is to determine the positive contributions associated with reading aloud to children, especially those benefits related to school success.
The importance of reading aloud to children has been addressed by O'Leary (1991), who notes that, in order for children to develop good reading habits, they must first be surrounded with books, stories and reading, not only in the classroom but in the home and the community:
Children who read and are read to outside of school do better than those who do not read and are not read to outside of school. Parents and other family members should make books and reading aloud a routine part of life on..."
Abstract The paper discusses several techniques that falls under the category of scaffolding, namely, semantic mapping, reading aloud as well as using context clues to glean meaning from a difficult sentence or passage. The paper explains the reasoning behind scaffolding that involves the classroom teacher having a strong understanding of the varying ability levels of the students. The paper emphasizes that the key concept is that the teacher gently coaxes the students outside of their comfort zone so that real learning can take place.
From the Paper "The concept of scaffolding is not a new idea. It has its roots in the educational theories endeavored by educational psychologist Lev Vygotsky. In Vygotsky's view of cognitive development, the adults or other partners in a child's world provide scaffolding to help children learn new information and develop more complex thinking abilities (SUNY Early Childhood Education). Vygotsky also looked at the social and cultural difference of each student to help understand how a child's learning develops. He thought that the socioeconomic status and culture of a student had a great impact on the child's cognitive skills. This belief has been echoed by later educational pioneers such as Ruby Payne."
Abstract This is a book review of Aldo Leopold's work. A close reading of this critically-acclaimed book makes it abundantly clear why Leopold is touted as the father of modern environmental conservation. His thoughts on sustainable development of an ecological consciousness was truly visionary, and most of his ideology still resonates aloud today ----- and this is what has perhaps lent this unique book an enduring popularity.
Abstract This paper analyzes Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein". The paper discusses what the creature learns from the books that he reads aloud and those that he finds in the woods that prompt him to ask some uncomfortable questions.
Abstract This paper explains that the earliest form of known sacred music is the chant, a monophonic, single-line melody using free-verse rhythm. The author explains that the Gregorian chant was not arranged until the 11th and 12th centuries; therefore, it is difficult to reconstruct the exact music from Charlemagne's court. The paper relates that the Gregorian chant is about the text; its roots are in the liturgical, sacred Latin texts being read aloud.
From the Paper "During the rise of Charlemagne's rule, learning, trade and the appreciation of culture took hold of Roman Empire. Charlemagne's keen interest in music explains why certain monasteries of his reign became large centers for church music. Charlemagne brought monks from Rome to stabilize and reform the church music in his kingdom. St. Ambrose and St. Gregory have come to be named and honored in musical history. Ambrose was Archbishop of Milan from 374 to 397. He took a keen interest in church music, and did much for its advancement. He devised a general system of chanting known from his name as the Ambrosian Chant. When Ambrose died, church music again deteriorated."
Abstract This paper explains that the poetry of Dylan Thomas demands to be read aloud especially his poem "The Force that through the Green Fuse Drives the Flower" in which the Welsh force dominates every syllable and needs to be heard forcefully. The author points out that it is important to remember that Dylan lived during WW I and II and the Cold War; much of his poems seem to have a dark, almost wintry side to them, some of them dealing with the havoc of fire bombs,air raids and the bruised bodies of soldiers and civilians alike. The paper concludes that, although written generations ago, this poem still exerts a magnetism in its few, short lines: Even with all the hi-tech and modern machinery in the 21st century, man is still a slave to nature.
From the Paper "Even in this early youthful poem, there is a rage within the poet- a force that is angry and not at peace with Nature, resenting that factor of growing old, growing apart, having lovers leave and/or die. This can easily be seen in the two-time use of the adjective "crooked": first, the crooked rose, indicating a slow decay, and then the crooked worm, which tends to indicate the worms that invade one's mortal remains, even getting under and through the shroud, the sheet.
Thomas, the poet, mourns a dead lover, and, perhaps to soothe her as well as to be at one with what will happen to him one day, says "How at my sheet goes the same crooked worm." We cannot escape our fate of death and decay. It is all around us. It is an insurmountable force that impels us through life. Yes, we can stop of "smell the roses", but roses die before we do, and then, we await the following spring's revival, only to see the force of nature rob us of the presence and the smell of that new "green" rose, as well. It is in imagery that Thomas is forceful."
Abstract This paper explains that the Stoop Effect, named for psychologist J. Ridley Stroop in 1935, is a deceptively simple theory of attention and cognition, which observes that it takes a human subject longer to name objects and colors aloud than it takes to name their corresponding words off a list of words. The author points out that Stroop concluded that the difference in speed in reading names of colors and in naming colors may be satisfactorily accounted for by the difference in training in the two activities called the "automatic word recognition hypothesis" or, as others have claimed, certain mental activities happen automatically whether the subject is consciously intending them or not. The paper relates that an interesting implication to come out of these studies testing this effect is that the context of the standard Stroop test may actually induce the Stroop effect.
From the Paper "Still, current research continues to deal with the "automaticity" of learned behaviors, or "connections" in the modern parlance. MacLeod notes a 1990 study conducted by Jonathan Cohen in which he re-created many of the results of Stroop effect research in computer simulation done with a neural network. A neural network is a type of computer that allows the system hardware to "learn" by adaptation and evolution. Cohen's experiment gradually taught the computer to recognize information that represented ink colors, color words, animal picture and shapes in such a way meant to model human training - that is, by emphasizing the color words rather than the colors. As might be expected, the Stroop effect was also noticed in the computer's responses to standard Stroop tests."
Abstract In this paper, the author examines the cognitive psych involved in learning to read. He looks primarily at children, and their developmental skills in learning to read. The author reminds us that there are many different methods of teaching, and some are more efficient than others. Among them is systematic phonetics, which the author considers to be more effective or superior to other techniques. He details the criteria involved in teaching this method. The author then moves on to discuss phonemic awareness which is the understanding that sounds of spoken language working together, make words. The paper continues to discuss all of the methodologies involved in developing children's reading. In conclusion, the author reminds us that there are many children who are condemned as failures within the school system due to their different style of learning, as compared to other children. These children should not be overlooked.
From the Paper "One of the most common terms used in reading is phonemic awareness, but the term is not often clearly understood. Many feel that phonemic awareness and phonics is essentially the same thing. This is not true. Phonemic is the understanding that sounds of spoken language working together make words, whereas phonics is the concept that there is an understandable relationship between phonemes and graphemes. The graphemes are the letters which represent sound in language when it is written. For the children to be able to benefit from instructions on phonics, they have to be aware of phonemics. The simple reason for this is that when children cannot hear or work with phonemes of spoken words, they will have a lot of difficulties in relating these phonemes to the graphemes that they will see in the words when written. Another misconception is to understand phonemic awareness to mean the same as phonological awareness, when that is not correct. (Goodman, 1967)"
Abstract This is a critical paper addressing the teacher's role in increasing the knowledge of the individual learner through observation of cognitive abilities, portfolio reviews and thinking aloud exercises that contrast very often with results of assessment indicating disability or defect. The paper includes a varied bibliography from North American sources. The paper also notes the different kinds of intelligence, variation and the failings of assessment systems now in place.
From the Paper "Students with special needs are sometimes assessed using curriculum standards or testing instruments that relate them to the general student level and at others using instruments to demonstrate their progression level and later progress. One sees the need in some situations for both kinds of assessment, especially when trying to determine the areas in which special needs students require extra attention. Ideally, one hopes to assess students in relation to a group of children who do not have special needs and then again more individually."
Abstract In this article, the writer studies the story 'So Far From God' by Ana Castillo. The writer notes that in "So Far From God", Castillo sets her work in Chicana country, and creates a mystical work of fiction that draws the reader into the story, making it nearly impossible to set down. The writer looks at the various characters in the book and then discusses the different themes of the story. Further the writer notes that the style of writing is somewhat disjointed and strange, almost like Castillo is just telling a story aloud to a friend instead of creating a novel. The writer concludes that the endurance of the human spirit and the female spirit, is what Castillo is trying to show to the readers of this particular book.
From the Paper "The themes that are presented in the book must be discussed in some detail, because they are very important and significant. Each theme of the book revolves around one of the five female characters. Sofia, the mother, embodies the great wisdom that is seen in some individuals. She goes through so much, but she manages to retain her sanity and her sense of humor, both of which she feels are very important. The wisdom theme appears to be at the core of what Castillo is trying to show. There are, however, other themes and ideas that are embodied by the four daughters."
"Esperanza, who is the most liberated of all of the sisters, spends her college years involved with the Chicano movement and tries to better many people's lives. Despite how helpful and kind she is, she is killed covering the Gulf Crisis as a reporter for a television station. Her death is largely meaningless, and it leaves the reader without any kind of way to find redemption in the death of this character."
Abstract This paper discusses the factors needed in order to integrate principles of ethics and integrity in the workplace, based on the writer's review of "Organizational Communication: Balancing Creativity and Constraint," by E. M. Eisenberg, H.L. Goodall, and A. Trethewey, "A Framework for Understanding Organizational Ethics," by O.C. Ferrell, and "Organizational Communication: Challenges for the New Century," by E. Jones, B. Watson, J.G. Gardner and C. Gallois. The writer demonstrates from the literature review that organizational ethics and integrity are generally set out in company rules and policies. They are also communicated through the company's social system, and through other forms which, although not stated aloud or written, create the organization's ethical climate.
Outline:
Introduction
Statement of Thesis
Significance of Study
Review of Literature
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "Stated as requirements for becoming more mindful in the workplace are the following: (1) analyze communication situations and develop strategies for accountability goals informed by the organization's culture; power relations among participants and differences in message interpretation derived from race, ethnicity and gender; (2) Think actively about possible communication choices, especially those that don't seem like choices as well as the potential organization, relational and personal outcomes of those choices; (3) adapt messages in a timely and thoughtful manner when seeking to inform, amuse, persuade or otherwise influence listeners and audiences; and (4) evaluate the feedback or response received as an indication of successful the purpose was accomplished."
