Exploring Language Development

GATHER INFORMATION— Record these responses in your notebook or on a google/pages doc.

First, read "Word Power for Babies" from Reader's Digest 11/2014.
1.  While reading, mentally note ideas of strong interest or importance to you.
2.  At the end of reading, write about at least two claims made in this article that further teach us about the significance of language in human development.  For each, explain how the author uses evidence (and what type of evidence she uses) to develop and strengthen the claim.  Include at least three direct quotes or paraphrased references to the article in your response.

Then, read "Here’s Why Your Brain Needs You to Read Every Single Day" by Brandon Specktor.
1.  While reading, take note of the various ways that reading can be beneficial to one's brain over time.
2.  At the end of reading, comb back through the article and choose two of the hyperlinked scholarly articles used as resources to support claims made by this author (hint: do not choose from those in the first paragraph).  For each one, read the abstract description of the study, and explain how the focus of this study ties in with a claim being made by Brandon Specktor in his article.  In other words, justify why this source would be used to support ideas in the article.  Copy and paste in the MLA citation for this article as well (hint: all of these studies have a citation already created for you at the end of the abstract).

Finally, choose one of the TED talks below to watch.  
"Why Language is Humanity's Greatest Invention" by David Peterson
"How Language Shapes the Way We Think" by Lena Boroditsky
"Txtng is killing language... JK!!!" by John McWhorter
1.  While watching, take note of the perspective this speaker offers about the importance of language in our lives and throughout history.
2.  After watching the TED talk, write (a few sentences for each will suffice) about:
--what you believe to be this speaker's main purpose in delivering this talk
-- how this speaker uses history to frame his/her argument
--ways that data or visuals are used to emphasize his/her claim
--ways that emotional appeal and personal voice comes across in this talk