The+Awesome+Kids


 * **Definition: Metalanguage**: Merriam webster ||  ||


 * The Great Divide Theory: great divide theoriests believed that the invention of writing triggered a cognitive revolution in human development(Barron). They thought that the most important function of writing is the impetus that writing gives to intelectual development- meaning that an individual that can write will think clearly. The cognitive restructurings caused by reading and writing develope that higher reasoning processes involved in extended abstract thinking. The development of the alphabet has changed the basic forms of human memory. Literacy has created new categories of understanding and new logical operations (Scribner/Cole). || Importance: the importance of the great divide theory is that it changed our understanding of cognitive development. Literacy brought about new categories of cognition that were not available pre-literacy- such as extended abstract thinking. **(do we believe the great divide theorists? are there remnants of belief in this theory, at the very least, in schooling? )** ||
 * Conflicts, Doubts, and Controdictions: Writing as a skill vs. Writing as a practice. Skill writing means that writing is narrow, non- social, has a goal, and is a basic fucntion that needs to be practiced. Practice writing means that it is social and used for comunication. Practice writing should come naturally. (**what does naturally mean in this context -- non schooled? or ?????)** || Questions?: Is writng a skill or a practice? Possibly both? Does literacy brign about a high cognition development? Social Power? ||