Way to Communicate

Philosophy

Since the beginning of time, man has always managed to find a way to communicate. Cave men used the walls of their homes to draw pictures to express language. Early Egyptians used hieroglyphics in scrolls and on walls of their tombs. Even Sequoyah came up with an alphabet for the Cherokee tribe to use. With the exception of the telephone, modern day man's main means of communication is written expression. Office memos, e-mails, letters, bulletins, newspapers, and personal letters are all types of written language regardless of the language they are written in.

Every time a young child picks up a crayon and scribbles on a piece of paper this is a form of written language. As this child progresses from scribbles to actual letters, the power of the pen becomes a reality. This person is using written language as a means of communication. Ideas and thoughts are being expressed clearly. Whether it is a grocery list, jotted down on a scrap of paper, or an author's best seller book, both are a means of using written language in daily life. Written expression allows an individual to express, perceive and interpret thoughts.

In order for a person to be fluent in written expression, certain elements need to be taught. These elements include grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. These elements can be taught best through progressionism.

Progressionism allows learners to take an active part in their own learning process. It keeps the needs and interests of learners in mind. All elements of written language can be incorporated into any assignment that a student might chose. Progressionism is not just a product to be learned, but something that continues as long as one lives. It allows a child to learn through actively experiencing his or her world as opposed to just absorbing it passively. Written expression fits in with progressionism in that both incorporate processes that continue throughout one's life. It allows for new experiences to be made through actively participating and getting involved in every aspect of what is being taught. This can clearly be seen in kindergarten all the way through high school as students go from making marks to writing themes. Grammar, spelling of new words, punctuation and capitalization rules are learned along the way as the student becomes more proficient in written expression. It is believed that all