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<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>There is a wonderful new book out,
it's title perhaps only a bit of a misnomer, called "Meaningful Differences in
the Everyday Experience of Young American Children". It has been written
carefully and sensitively by Betty Hart and Todd R. Risley, and describes their
experiences with more than 20 years of sometimes-overlapping longitudinal
studies of children, parents and language. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>Their Results (as opposed to
Conclusions) are that if you want to teach children something that lasts, you
must either Have or Develop a corresponding understanding of that "something" at
home. Otherwise, the "something" becomes a [possibly] useless artifact that the
kids picked up at their "day occupation". The Smith's experience with the
Learning Nests in Hawaii correlates 100% with this. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>So yes, teaching children the
language is important. But, unless they have a place to Use It (Often forgotten
in the development of "curricula"), and unless they can share with their
parents, get approval, extend not only their vocabulary but also the thoughts
that they express, the efforts are like rain on macadam. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>Mia</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=Rrlapier@AOL.COM href="mailto:Rrlapier@AOL.COM">Rrlapier@AOL.COM</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=ILAT@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
href="mailto:ILAT@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU">ILAT@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, April 20, 2004 10:36
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: MN Native Language Press
Release</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2
FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">Here are some thoughts:<BR><BR>The most
important reason for language immersion schools existence is not academic
achievement -- but language revitalization.<BR><BR>The only way to save a
language is to teach <U>children</U> the langauge.<BR><BR>Focus on Language
Revitalization -- once you make Education the focus you are in
danger.<BR><BR>But, it is the programs that are the strongest in the language
and in rejecting the standard mindsets (public education models) that have
been the most successful academically.<BR><BR>The goal is fluent
children.<BR><BR><BR><BR><B>Rosalyn LaPier</B><BR>Piegan
Institute<BR>www.pieganinstitute.org</FONT> </FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>