I was surprised to learn that there were six language arts. Throughout school, it was always just called language arts assuming that it was it's own subject. They are each different in their own ways but are all interrelated to one another. Collectively, these arts help to create language. I can see why talking and listening are commonly overlooked. They don't seem to be hard actions to do, but it's the manner in which they're done or in which they should be done that educators need to start to emphasizing.
Viewing and visually representing should be a part of this list. Seeing and doing are two things that make learning so engaging. I think because of the addition of these two, the process of language is complete. These two facets along with the other four help to make language meaningful and personal. I think that by adding them we are realizing that the digital and media influences are important to children. Technology is growing by leaps and bounds and if these two were omitted from the list it's almost as if we were suggesting that these influences are nonexistent. We are embracing these advances and helping children to adjust to the changes they see as well as adults during their lives.
The arts that stand out to me are listening, writing, and viewing because they correspond to the type of learner I am. I remember something better if I write it down. I pay close attention to what is said (listening), and I transfer that to my notes (writing). I am also a very visual person so to see it is to make it more memorable for me. I used to enjoy reading when it was done for fun and pleasure in the younger grades but as it got to be a chore, as in a homework assignment, it wasn't enjoyable anymore. I do not expect them to always be the same, I expect them to grow and change as I do during my life.
I enjoyed listening to Sahara Special. I usually don't like being read to but I found this time to be quite engaging. I personally cannot relate to this story but I think we can all identify someone from elementary school with one of the characters. I hope that Sahara and her mother realize that the school is doing its best and that school will be fun and enjoyable for them both by the end of the story.