Final answer:
Reading and spelling should not be taught as separate strands starting in fourth grade; integrated literacy instruction is more effective. Literacy learning can both separate and unite communities, and it is a manifest function of schools to provide literacy skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that reading and spelling should be taught as separate strands within a reading program starting in fourth grade is false. Integrated literacy instruction, which combines reading, spelling, and writing, is considered more effective. This is because the skills reinforce each other and help in the overall development of literacy.
Research suggests that literacy experiences are crucial for students, and learning to read and write can be deeply influential, as seen by someone who learned to read as a first grader and was inspired to become a teacher. Literacy can both separate and unite individuals and communities, depending on access to quality education and the success of literacy instruction.
A manifest function of schools, according to the question provided, is learning to read and write. Schools play a key role in providing literacy skills that are essential for personal and economic development, thereby facilitating better social outcomes. This reflects the importance that literacy has on an individual's ability to navigate society and underscores the interconnectedness of reading and spelling skills.