Discussing+Heath--Questions+for+Consideration

~ Hannah & Lakeisha

//Directions:// As a duo, discuss and decide what questions Heath's work raises. In other words, what are some of the larger issues which warrant discussion for us based on your reading of Heath’s study? What questions do you have about the reading and the implications of her research that you feel we as a class should consider together? When time is called, you will present your ideas to the class.


 * How can you give teachers a real understanding of the differences in language and culture that students bring to their classrooms--not only an understanding that comes from books? Of what use might the detailed ethnographies of communication in these articles be enabling teachers and students to bridge their different ways?
 * How much does tracking perpetuate student success and failure? Racial segregation? Socioeconomic discrepancies?
 * How much should we correct student's language that they speak at home? Should we engage in "standard" English only teaching, or should we embrace the linguistic traditions of different groups of students? How about storytelling techniques? What would that look like?
 * Should we teach all students as if they were college-bound? How about those that will most likely work in a trade and would need different kinds of skills?
 * Should student habits and customs of politeness be allowed/encouraged or discouraged in the classroom?
 * "Neither community's ways with the written word prepares it for the school's ways" Should the community change, or the school? How??