EDRG 3344 Blog 2

In chapter four Tompkins began discussing emergent literacy. Emergent literacy is the current approach to language arts instruction in kindergarten through second grade. According to Teale and Sulzby, children begin learning the functions of literacy through observing and participating in real life settings in which reading and writing are used. They develop reading and writing abilities concurrently and interrelatedly through experiences in reading and writing. They also construct their understanding of reading and writing through active involvement with literacy materials.
Chapter four also discussed fostering young childrens interest in literacy. In this section we learn that childrens introduction to written language begins before they come to school. They learn to read signs and other environmental print in their community. They experiment with writing and have parents write for them. Once they hit kindergarten their knowledge about written language expands quickly as they participate in meaningful. functional, and genuine experiences with reading and writing.
The text states that through experience in their homes and communities, young children learn that print carries meaning and that reading and writing are used for a variety of purposes. Teachers demonstrate the purposes of written language and provide opportunities for students to experiment with reading and writing by: posting signs in the classroom, making a list of classroom rules, writing notes to students in class, and a list of many other things.
The text also discusses how children develop concepts about the alphabet and how letters are used to represent phonemes. Emergent readers use all four language arts systems which are ; phonological,semantic,syntactic,and pragmatic. At this point the alphabetic principle comes into play. According to the alphabetic principle there is a one to one correspondence between graphemes and phonemes such that each letter represents a sound. But our twenty six letters of our alphabet represent forty four phonemes. This can make it harder for children to learn.

When I read the chapter I immediately thought of my nephew. When he was about three years old he could drive by those golden arches we all know so well and tell us that it was McDonalds. Not because he could read but because he could recall us sayint thats what it's name was. This applies to the classroom because as teachers we need to set up an environment where the student can learn through active envolvement. With centers that has literary items such as a doctors office with pens and paper for writing prescriptions. Posting signs in the classroom.