Activity One: (a page)

Examine children's understanding of figurative (nonliteral) language. Find at least one child, two children if you can: one about 5 years of age and one about 8 years of age. Ask each child to tell you what the following sentences mean:

A stitch in time saves nine.

The cat's fur was as smooth as silk.

She put her foot in her mouth.

People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

What do you observe? Dothe childreninterpret the sentences literally? Do they understand the nonliteral meaning of each sentence? How do you know? Reflect on what you have learned.

Activity Two: (a page)

Directions: answer each of the following in no less than a two-page (total) response.

1. List and describe three syntactic structures that are usually developed in the school years?

2. Why is the development of skill in the understanding and use of figurative language important?

3. Discuss two ways that knowledge of later language development can help teachers understand and teach their students.

4. What is phonological awareness? Why is it important for beginning reading success?

5. What elements of language have been found to be important for reading comprehension?