Beware of "Correcting" Something That May Not Be a Mistake

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Acknowledging Home Languages

Beware of "Correcting" Something That May Not Be a Mistake

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Educating Teachers

It is important to be aware of language differences and how they may affect a student’s writing style.

Beware of "Correcting" Something That May Not Be a Mistake

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The Goal is to:

Honor students’ home languages Make students aware of situations

that call for a more formal language Be aware of any prejudices we may

have about language that would cause us to falter in the classroom

Beware of "Correcting" Something That May Not Be a Mistake

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Example

Them old Chuck Taylor high top nasty looking Converse these are the ugliest shoes I had ever seen. I thought as I put them on. “Mom why I have to wear these ugly shoes.” My mom say they was in style. “Larry be quiet these are in style right now.” “I don’t see how they raggedy.”

Beware of "Correcting" Something That May Not Be a Mistake

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Correct by AAVE Rules

No third person present s on say does follow the rules of AAVE

“I don’t see how they raggedy” lacks a be verb, but also follows the rules of AAVE

Beware of "Correcting" Something That May Not Be a Mistake

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How to Honor Home Languages Allow students ways of using them

in class for a specific project Study the literature that correlates

with their home languages

Beware of "Correcting" Something That May Not Be a Mistake

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It is Okay to Code Switch:

When writing poetry When writing dialogue

Beware of "Correcting" Something That May Not Be a Mistake

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Formal Language is Necessary When: Writing a paper for class Filling out college or job applications

Beware of "Correcting" Something That May Not Be a Mistake

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Avoid Traps that may Alienate Students What sounds right to you may not

sound right to them Heavily critiquing their papers may

hurt more than it helps Be a Scientist

Beware of "Correcting" Something That May Not Be a Mistake

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As a Scientist

Look for what the work of every student is trying to tell you about their style

Come up with a way to track students’ progress and usual pitfalls

Interact one-on-one to give effective feedback