Using Chilton Manuals and Mango Languages

Week 2 of Common Core Challenge Using Chilton Manuals and Mango Languages For some people reading an automotive manual is similar to reading a foreign language. The world of automotive care is a language all its own. It is one that needs to be studied, practiced and used in order to learn. What happens if a non-automotive speaking person wants to enter that world? A new language must be learned. The following standards will apply for both the Chlton Manuals and the Mango Languages:

7.L.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. 8.L.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. 7.RL.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. 8.RL.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. >

Students learn new vocabulary words each year in school. Often these words float around in their heads with no platform on which to stand.
Reading the Chilton manuals for the first time could be this way. With no point of reference, the vocabulary of the manuals is much like a foreign language. With guidance and practical use these words can be brought together in a meaningful way. Students in 7th and 8th grades are beginning to think about driving. This would be a great time to introduce car maintenance. The Chilton manuals could be accessed, finding the student's car or a car they wish to own, looking up maintenance requirements, troubleshooting and possible ways to fix problems. Using the vocabulary of the manuals, how-to speeches could be presented which would further the use of new vocabulary in context. As students learn to read a manual, then take what they have learned to give directions, they have acquired knowledge and skills that will carry them throughout their lives. Even if someone doesn't want to work on their own car, it is good to have knowledge of the vehicle and possible problems in order to avoid costly unnecessary repairs.
Using Mango Languages Learning a new language expands our minds and gives us a better understanding of our own language. Grammar and word usage become more important when learning a new language. Students realize quickly how easily the meaning of a phrase changes with the misuse of a tense or misspelling. As we grow up speaking a particular language and learning to read with our spoken language we often forget the rules of grammar, they are just second nature. A new language causes us to think about these rules and become more aware of our own language as we learn a new one. Contextual clues in learning vocabulary become even more important in a new language. Mango Languages allow students access to many different languages to try or to build on what they already know or are taking in school. With converstations spoken, as the written words are highlighted, students can see as well as hear the new language. The english words change to the other language as the cursor is placed on the phrase to give added study help. Mango Languages is very valuable in learning another language as well as emphasizing the grammar rules in English. The value of both of these databases is to learn--going beyond our borders with a technical manual or a new language. We must never stop learning! What a great asset to our library.