How Is the Linking Process Prompted?

Abstract

In this chapter the students in Mrs. Chambers ’ sixth-grade class and their study of the biomes are introduced to illustrate the links that students make with sensory cues. These sensory cues were those aural , visual , function , and tactile “things” in the environment that may be part of the object -sign relationship. After an introduction to the students in Mrs. Schneider ’s classroom, who studied the Middle Ages in a 7-week unit, conceptual links are described. Conceptual links in the data set included concrete and abstract concepts, structure, and processes. A structure cue is illustrated through an extended role play example in Mrs. Schneider ’s classroom as she and her students compare the hierarchies that existed in the Middle Ages and the game of chess that many of the students were playing.

This chapter draws on Schuh (2003) for some of the narrative excerpts.