Required Resource 

Required Text

1. Making meaning, making sense: Children’s early language learning
    
   1. Chapter 9 – Language for Learning
       
      • This chapter explores the association between early language and the development of academic skills.  The importance of the preschool years and their influence on later academic success is highlighted.
   2. Chapter 10 – The Making Meaning, Making Sense: Putting It All Together
       
      • This chapter discusses the different preschool language contexts and how children make sense of and use language for varying purposes.

Recommended Resource 

Website

1. Virtual Educators. (2008, February 5).  What is an ePortfolio? (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Web log post]. Retrieved from  http://virtualeducators.blogspot.com/2008/02/electronic-portfolio.html
    

• This site explains ePortfolios, discusses the advantages of using ePortfolios, suggests tools for the creation of ePortfolios and provides examples of ePortfolios.

Week 5 Discussion 1

Language Acquisition Resource Discussion      

Many resources are available to help us continue to develop our knowledge of language acquisition.  As professionals, you will need to identify and evaluate the resources available to you.  Please spend some time evaluating professional resources linked to language acquisition.

For this discussion, choose a specific language acquisition topic to explore further.  Several examples include our previous topics of bilingualism, communication disorders, language developmental stages, brain research, supportive language acquisition practices, family support of language acquisition, etc.  Write the topic you explored in the subject line of your discussion post.  Then, provide three sources that can be used to learn more about this topic.  Your sources may include a journal article, webpage, video, research, podcast, etc.  Include links where appropriate, and be sure to cite all sources in APA format.  

Your 300-350 word post should include the following for each selected source:

• Summary of the resource
• How it supports language acquisition in children
• How you will use it specifically for your future professional role  
• An APA-formatted reference of the source so your peers can access and review it

When you submit your assignments each week, they will be returned to you with specific feedback. This feedback should be used to revise the assignment for the Final Project. Please make the necessary corrections and apply them to your Final Project, which is due in Week Five.

Week 5 Discussion 2

Week 5 – Journal       

Practice and Reflection 

As an educator, a large portion of learning and growth comes from reflection and refinement.

For this week’s journal, use this self-reflection rubric to evaluate the effectiveness of your lesson plan from Week Four.  Elaborate on the areas of strength in your lesson plan, as well as those areas in need of improvement.