Discussion posts

Chapter 1 explains the attributes of language and the process of language acquisition in young children.  Since this is such a crucial component to support language acquisition, it is important that we understand this fully.  As teachers, we also serve as information resources for parents.  Choose one of the following topics and write a short 250- to 350-word article for a parent newsletter:

• Language Attributes
• Process of Language Acquisition
• Language and Communication

Your article should focus on helping parents understand the process of language acquisition in an informative, yet parent-friendly manner.  Be sure to support your ideas with a reference to the textbook and at least one outside source cited in APA format.  Construct your initial post for this discussion as if parents were your audience.

In Chapter 2, you will explore the complete system of language as well as the various levels of language structure.  Using your knowledge of the whole structure, as well as the individual levels, create a poster you can display in your classroom that explains the different levels.  This poster can be created using Microsoft Word, Glogster, or it can be hand drawn and scanned to share for this discussion.  The content of this poster should be a minimum of 150 words and it should be presented on one page.  It can contain text and visuals such as pictures and/or graphics.  At a minimum, please provide a brief summary of the three main levels and use your creativity as you break these down.  Support the content of your poster with information from the textbook and at least one outside source.  Citations must be properly formatted in APA style and be included on your poster.

In Chapter 3, you were presented with four language acquisition theories: behaviorist, active construction of a grammar, connectionist, and social interaction theories.  For this discussion, you will first select one of the theories and explain its main components in a graphic organizer.  The recommended website, Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers, offers digital graphic organizers to help you with the creation of your graphic organizer, or you can use the graphs/charts feature in Microsoft Word.  You will then compare and contrast your chosen theory with the other theories listed above, highlighting the major similarities and differences.  

The graphic organizer you create for the theory you choose should include:

• The main theorist associated with the theory
• A summary of what the theory states
• Evidence supporting the theory
• Evidence against the theory

In your compare/contrast analysis of the theory, include the following:

• Similarities to other theories
• Differences from other theories

Refer to Chapter 3 of the text, additional resources, and your own insights.  Remember that your graphic organizer needs to contain an APA citation for any source used, including the textbook.  Your discussion post title should be the same as your chosen theory.  The body of your post should consist of your compare/contrast analysis.  

Our classrooms are filled with students who come from diverse backgrounds.  When we get to know our students and their families, we strengthen the home-school connection, which research has reported leads to increased student achievement.   Using information gained the textbook readings and the required article, Can Preschool Children be Taught a Second Language?, explain strategies that effectively support students who are learning a second language.  You can use the textbook andthe recommended article, Responding to Linguistic and Cultural Diversity, to support your discussion.  

Your 300-350 word post should be formatted to include the following in order:

• Three ways to support children learning a second language in the classroom
• Two ways to support the families of children learning a second language
• One example of a resource you can use to help plan for children learning a second language, with a summary and justification of your choice
• One question you still have about learning a second language

Refer to Chapter 4 of the text and additional resources, and draw from your own insights.  Citations must be properly formatted in APA style.