The Six Language Arts

Overall, I was surprised that there were actually six language arts. Of all six discussed the one that surprised me the most was writing. Typically when one thinks about language arts, reading and writing come to mind first. In elementary and middle school the writing process is implemented in every writing activity completed by the student. I can recall having to pair up with a different peer each time I wrote a paper in middle school and edit each other’s writings. What surprised me was realizing how the high school and college levels do not encourage the use of the writing process. Understandably, at this point a high school or college student does not need to be told to sit with their buddy and edit each other’s drafts. However, teachers at this level hardly even encourage the use of the writing process. They give the students the assignment and a final due date in which the final copy is to be handed in. I feel that some teachers are more willing to review and make suggestions to a paper; however, it does become the student’s choice to take advantage of this offer since it is not required. I feel that many adults write up a report and solely rely on technology to do the editing and revising for us.

I was also surprised at how talking and listening are the two language arts that are most often neglected in the classroom. Teachers often assume that a child knows how to talk and how to listen because it is an action they have been doing most of their life. It is important to realize that listening is not the same as hearing and talking should consist of a student actually engaging in a purposeful conservation. Realizing these things will help to improve the amount of attention given to these categories of language arts.

I think that viewing and visually representing should definitely be included in the list of language arts. I am always so surprised when I go into a classroom at how many young students know how to use a computer and do things on the computer such as creating a very extensive power point. I have a younger brother that is in middle school who spends hours creating power points related to topics he is learning about in school. Not only is he studying a topic and creating a presentation on that topic, but he also knows how to do things on power point that I still do not know how to do. Viewing is important within language arts because many children are visual learners and being able to read a short story and then watch a movie based off that story can bring about better understanding for these students. I have always been more of a visual learner and appreciate things such as having a power point to follow my professor’s lectures rather than panicking to listen to all the information they are giving and writing down all the important things.