Literacy

What is Literacy to me?

Before coming to class on Monday, I saw literacy through the eyes of the student I was in TE 301. Literacy in that class focused on reading and writing. I saw literacy as concepts of print, fluency, phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, etc. Going into the schools in Lansing, I worked in a classroom that focused on just literacy all morning. They worked on the students basic writing skills and they did accelerated reader on the computer to test their comprehension. Before our class on Monday, I never thought of literacy as being something that gives us the ability to function in society in the way that puts us above others who are not literate.

I have now looked at literacy in a new way. I believe that literacy is the foundation upon which all knowledge is built. Literacy to me is more than just reading and writing. Literacy is the ability to comprehend, and apply the language in everyday life. In class we talked about how literacy is something we subconsciously do everyday. We read the newspaper in the morning, drive to work reading street signs and following directions. Without knowing how to read or write, we would not be able to interview for jobs or fill out job applications. Learning literacy is as simple as the basics (knowing how to read/write) as well as a way for long term development throughout your entire life. Currently I still struggle with grammar and realize that is still a form of literacy that I need to work on.
Also in class people talked about how you can still get through life without learning how to read and write. I do agree with this because my grandmother was one of those people. However, in the world today, people compete to get into colleges to get high end jobs and being a literate person would definitely work for your advantage.

As future teachers, we have a huge responsibility to insure that our students gain as much knowledge in terms literacy. This year, when I go into the classroom, I realize how much a teacher can incorporate literacy in every lesson. My CT does a great job having her students do lots of writing during her science lessons and she always chooses wonderful picture books to read to her students during social studies. My CT even has her students create math word problems during their multiplication unit. I realize as teachers it is our job to focus on the basics as well furthering our students’ literary skills so they can achieve their goals in later life so they can go to college and get their dream job.

After reading the Cambourne article, I gained more insights on how important it is for teachers to guide students in the classroom. Cambourne stated, “inappropriate responses are incipient bad habits, and must be extinguished before they firm up an become fixed” (Cambourne, 1995). This quote showed me how important it is for teachers to intervene early their student’s literacy learning so that they can excel and not get behind. Cambourne went on to state, “Learners are too immature or underdeveloped to make decisions about their learning so the process must be directed and controlled by the teacher” (Cambourne, 1995). This quote reminded me of a time when I was in my placement last year and my teacher allowed her students to choose any book they wanted to read. Most of the students chose newspapers and picture books so they could look at the pictures rather than read the text. I believe teachers need to make sure that their students are reading a variety of genres so they can be introduced to a variety of texts in the classroom because many students do not get the exposure at home.

Literacy is something you never stop learning because it is always around you!