Frank Smith
Frank Smith: A Pioneer in Education and Psychology
Full Name and Common Aliases
Frank Smith is often referred to as the "father of whole language" due to his groundbreaking work in the field of education and literacy.
Birth and Death Dates
Frank Smith was born on August 12, 1931, and passed away on January 21, 2012. Despite his passing, his work continues to shape educational policies and practices around the world.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Smith was a Canadian educator, psychologist, and author who dedicated his career to understanding how children learn to read and write. He held various positions, including professor of education at the University of Victoria and director of the British Columbia Ministry of Education's Literacy Office.
Early Life and Background
Born in Canada, Smith grew up in a family that valued education and encouraged him to pursue his passion for learning. His early experiences as a teacher and researcher laid the foundation for his future work in literacy education. During his university years, he became increasingly interested in the field of psychology, particularly its application to understanding human behavior and development.
Major Accomplishments
Smith's most significant contributions to education include:
The Whole Language Approach: Smith was a key figure in developing the whole language approach to reading instruction, which emphasizes the importance of context, meaning-making, and student-centered learning. This approach has been widely adopted by educators worldwide.
Challenging Traditional Views on Reading Instruction: Smith's research and advocacy challenged traditional views on reading instruction, which often relied on phonics-based methods. He argued that children learn to read in a more holistic and intuitive way.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Smith's notable works include:
"The Book as Object" (1986): In this book, Smith explores the relationship between readers, texts, and the physical properties of books.
"Reading Without Limits" (1994): This book presents a comprehensive overview of the whole language approach to reading instruction.
Impact and Legacy
Frank Smith's work has had a profound impact on education policy and practice. His ideas have influenced educational reforms in many countries, leading to more student-centered and inclusive approaches to literacy instruction.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Smith is widely quoted and remembered for his commitment to making reading and writing accessible to all students. His emphasis on the importance of context, meaning-making, and student-centered learning has transformed the way educators approach literacy instruction. As a result, his work continues to inspire educators, researchers, and policymakers seeking to create more effective and equitable education systems.
In conclusion, Frank Smith's contributions to education and psychology have left an indelible mark on the world of literacy instruction. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of embracing diverse learning styles and creating inclusive educational environments that cater to the needs of all students.
Quotes by Frank Smith
Reading and writing don’t inevitably go together. You can read without learning a thing about writing, grammar, or spelling, although, you certainly can’t learn anything about writing, grammar, or spelling unless you read.
The teachers who get “burned out” are not the ones who are constantly learning, which can be exhilarating, but those who feel they must stay in control and ahead of the students at all times.
Learning is never aversive – usually we are not aware of it at all. It is failure to learn that is frustrating and boring, and so is having to attend to nonsensical activities.
Language is not a genetic gift, it is a social gift. Learning a new language is becoming a member of the club -the community of speakers of that language.
Two kinds of reading can be distinguished. I call them reading like a reader and reading like a writer ... when you read like a reader, you identify with the characters in the story. The story is what you learn about. When you read like a writer, you identify with the author and learn about writing.
Reading and writing don't inevitably go together. You can read without learning a thing about writing, grammar, or spelling, although, you certainly can't learn anything about writing, grammar, or spelling unless you read.
We are learning all the time - about the world and about ourselves. We learn without knowing that we are learning and we learn without effort every moment of the day. We learn what is interesting to us... and we learn from what makes sense to us, because there is nothing to learn from what confuses us except that it is confusing.