Monday, March 30, 2015

The Language of Power: Beyond the Grammar Workbook

In the article by Jill Flynn: Flynn discusses her experiences in the classroom. ( Using the colon to showcase an important part of the sentence) She explains how it is something you can never really prepare for until you are actually physically there and doing it. She expresses how in her first study she was observing a new teacher who wanted to teach with an emphasis on “The Language of Power”. Although, his language of power in particular was based upon Standard English, emphasizing it as the language geared towards success. Although his perspective focuses on this being the language toward success, he taught with respect for other cultures and languages and willingly accepted them in his classroom setting. His way into the language of power was by teaching standard English, but also incorporating other cultures. (Use of a subordinating conjunction by connecting two related statements) He explained the importance of standard English by exemplifying that this will be the language used when they apply for college applications and will be used in more formal settings, but it does not mean that ones culture of native language is not as significant or important. This teacher showed the importance of certain forms of language in different settings. Overall, the students participated in oral projects and were asked to speak or perform with a certain dialect. This is one of the many great ways the Language of Power can be incorporated into the classroom and is valued the same way Standard English is.

Throughout this course, I have learned that along with grammar there comes culture. People come from different backgrounds and value different things. Having a common ground with students can be a difficult task to accomplish, but the way in which this teacher went about incorporating the language of power with other cultures and languages was a really beneficial way for the students to learn about not only grammar, but also language. When I become a teacher I want to make as much of an effort as possible to give my students the opportunity to experiment with different languages.  I plan to have my students participate in a daily free-write at the beginning of class. This would be a time for my students to write in any dialect they choose to, even abbreviations from texting would be fine. I just want to allow for my students to have some freedom with their writing.  I also have to keep in mind that I will have common core rules to follow when teaching my students and using Standard English remains to be a component of teaching. Learning how to incorporate Standard English and other cultures, and then combine them into one lesson plan would be a really efficient and creative way for students to get to learn standard English skills but also learn about other cultures. I just want to become more than just a teacher, but an educator. I want to be someone that can bring my students new ideas and questions about the world around them and maybe even change some students perspectives on the language and standard English. Overall, I just want to make a difference like anyone else in the world, and the way I intend on doing so is by creating a no judgment atmosphere where my students can learn, change and grow.


The two patterns that I highlighted are forms of grammar that I feel I use the most often. I do not ever feel as if I am forcing myself to use those patterns, but more often than not they occur in my writing almost effortlessly. I have been working to step outside of my comfort zone a bit more by using different forms of punctuation and sentence structure, although I still do not feel 100% confident with all the forms of grammar we have learned about. The forms of grammar that I am not so confident about are verbs and sentence structuring. Sometimes I feel as if it is a puzzle that I cannot quite figure out. I love using the dash and am learning to add it to my writing more often. I also enjoy using AAAWWUBBIS and am looking forward to experimenting with it more in my writing. I think all of the forms of grammar that I have mentioned are extremely important. They provide balance in writing and allow us as writers to experiment with new structuring and practice becoming better writers. I am still working on that and I think I will be for quite a long time, but these have really opened up my eyes to all that can be done and changed within one sentence.

1 comment:

  1. Haley,

    I see your intention with the use of the colon, but I feel that it’s a little bit wonky. Maybe you used the colon correctly but im not sure. I think that a comma might have worked better for that particular statement. If you wanted to keep the colon you could have done “In the article by Jill Flynn she discusses her experiences in the classroom: it is something a person can hardly prepare for until they are physically in the classroom participating”. I kept the first part and added to it because after the colon it is giving more detail to the statement before. For the second concept I think you executed it perfectly. I also find myself incorporating this concept into my writing regularly. Another place where you could use a colon would be “Throughout this course I have learned that along with grammar comes culture: people have different backgrounds and values”. I think that is right. I like the idea of the daily free write. Students should be able to have freedom in their writing, to a point. I also agree with your concern about including all aspects of common core with the freedom of writing and different cultures. If you can come up with a lesson plan that incorporates all of those different aspects then my hats off to you! All in all, nice work.

    Allyson

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