"Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope."
- Kofi Annan
Students of literacy in the 21st century must be engrossed in all different types of the medium ranging from film and video to books and magazines. The effective literacy teacher must therefore find a balance between the "old style" of reading words on a page and the "new style" of reading and analyzing words on a screen, images, films and various other forms of communication that are abundant in society. The following links are a small sample of my work integrating effective literacy practices back into students' lives.
Literacy in the 21st Century
As a teacher of literacy it is important to allow students of all ages to become familiar with technology in order to show how signficant literacy still is in the 21st century
that I created follows my second grade students as they pose a question and follow up with internet research. The students engage in multiple literacy practices including: collaborative research, note taking, organizing and creating a non-fiction book, as well as verbal communication skills.
Holly Kimball's Literacy Showcase
Multiple Perspectives
Although literacy is based on the traditional story/novel format with words on paper, it is important to note the significant contribution of other forms of literacy as well. Often overlooked mediums include: graphic novels, films, internet, and images. To be "literate" is not always reading the words but analyzing what is significant about them, and what may be missing. The link will allow you to read a paper in which I "Coraline" in three different formats: novel, film, and graphic novel and how each format tells a different story.
The Implications of Book Awards
Well known children's book awards including the Newbery and Caldecott were designed to further the genre of children's books when first introduced into society. Since that time the awards have become well known and treasured honors. There are, however, many other children's book awards that are relatively unknown but just as significant. It is important to and the impressions that they are making on literary practices.
Make it Authentic
One of the most important things a teacher can do to encourage more engagement with literacy is to make it relevant and authentic to the lives of students. This can be done in a variety of ways, and greatly depends on the interest of the student. One way to encourage reading, writing, and speaking is to allow students the opportunity to share their own work with their peers. The picture to the right shows several of my second grade students presenting a from an interview they conducted with a teacher in the building.
The "T-Word"
One of an educator's most dreaded things is actually one of the most useful in expanding literacy - talking. Verbal communication, discussion and healthy debate allow students not only to share their viewpoints but also hear the views of others. The value of hearing and respecting differing views is tremendous, especially in the ever diversifying world. The image to the left links to a in regards to literacy education and the benefits of the "T-word".
It is Only the Beginning...
The goal for any student of literacy should be to understand what is being presented to them, whether it be in the form of a book, verbal communication, or video. It is imperative that students understand that getting "through" the material is just the beginning. To understand is to communicate and use the presented ideas effectively in your own life situation. to the right was completely created by second grade students. The students had to sequence steps in an everyday activity, explain, and video tape themselves presenting it to the class. These students explain how to set up the computer to take and Accelerated Reader test. The result of students watching this video? Everyone knows how to set up the computer.
Use the Whole World!
Communication with others becomes easier as technology advances. The world is a resource that can now be easily integrated into classrooms through the internet. It is important to make literacy practices relevant not only inside of the classroom, but tie in to what is important to students outside of the classroom. Allowing the students to write or in the world not only positively affects their communication skills but also opens up numerous opportunities for diversity, and cultural awareness.
