Discussion Board 10: The Reading Wars – Group 2

Discussion Board Instructions and Deadline

• minimum 350-word up to a maximum 500-word answer
• use evidence to support your opinion (MUST cite research as outlined in prompt)
• proofread your answer and use complete, grammatical sentences

Discussion Board Question #10

In module 12 and in the Video – A Tale of Two Schools you learned about “The Reading Wars”. The Reading Wars are a debate about the best way to instruct children in reading. Two positions dominate the literature, the whole-language approach and the phonics approach. Some argue that we should use the “Whole-Language Approach”, while others think at the crux of literacy is “phonics” or learning how to sound out letters and new words. The “Whole-Language Approach” focuses on helping children to make meaning of what they read and to express meaning in what they write for real purposes. Teachers who use this approach do not place an emphasis on spelling or grammar and typically do not correct children’s spelling or grammatical errors. Proponents of the Whole-Language Approach believe that language should not be broken down into letters or decoded into sounds – rather that children view language as a complete system of making meaning in context. The phonics approach, on the other hand, explicitly teaches sound-letter correspondences.

In your opinion and based on evidence, which method is the best approach to use to teach children to read? In your response, provide at least two (2) reasons why you believe your chosen method is the best one for teaching literacy. Your answer should appropriately use/cite research; you should have a reference for each reason/argument for a total of 2 references. For this assignment, you may use books, chapters, journal articles, your textbook and any reputable website for references.

Grading Scale

5 – well-informed, uses/cites research appropriately, complete and grammatical sentences, meets minimum word count, convincing in argument/answer to prompt.

4 – reasonably well-informed and appropriately uses/cites research, but may be less convincing in argument/answer in prompt. No issues with grammar were noted and met minimum word count.

3 – author does attempt to use/cite research in response, but may have been less convincing in argument/answer in prompt. Issues with grammar may have been noted. Author may not have met minimum word count.

2 – author does not attempt to use/cite research in response and thus, fails to convince reader of answer. Issues with grammar may have been noted. Author may not have met minimum word count.

1 – poorly written, did not meet minimum word count and was not well-informed or use/cite research in prompt. Many issues were noted.

0 – did not attempt assignment