elf-esteem and appraisal than on literacy. It has come to a point where children no longer are told they are incorrect, but instead are appraised for trying. The competition in schools are becoming non-existent with the removal of spelling bees, honor rolls and even class rankings. Many schools have taken out the letter grade system (A, B, C, D, and F) and replaced it with G (good), S (satisfactory) and U (unsatisfactory). Replacing the traditional letter grade system has hindered the whole language approach by allowing children not to strive for excellence. Knowing that satisfactory is all right, children do not have to strive for that A+ grade. Children should be instilled with the need to learn, want to learn idea. Children should learn that life is competition, and the rewards go to those who work hard and achieve correctness. Children, who are told they are incorrect, will try harder if they have the need to learn, want to learn idea within them. I believe that self-esteem should be the reward for achievement and hard work, not for trying and being wrong. Children should understand that an education is a privilege, and should not be taken for granted. Whole language allows for too much to be taken for granted, in hopes that children’s self esteem will not be negatively affected by being told they are “incorrect, try again”. It seems to be that with the whole language approach children are not told they are incorrect, but instead are rewarded for being incorrect while trying. The following story was written by the top speller in the second grade class in a Riverside County school. This student was considered so exceptional she was often sent to first-grade classes to “tutor”. (Her mother asked that the school and district not be revealed.)The story: “sow boute” oneic a potime there was a hors her name was cnow buote But for short her oner cald her snowe for andher oner toke h...
