I have really enjoyed reading your posts thus far. I have noticed some overlapping ideas in regards to your feelings about what is literacy and how it affects you and your future classroom. The idea that literacy is a changing view and not stagnant is important to remember. Literacy is always changing and adapting to the world.
I would strongly suggest commenting back and forth with each other within the blog. Get some discussion moving within the ideas we have discussed in class and you have written in your blog. Communication is a valuable tool for furthering our learning and understanding.
Keep up the wonderful insights and comments. Push yourself to discover new insights about your own learning. Make sure you are submitting your blogs on time and keeping up to date.
Remember from time to time I will comment but I will always be reading your blogs.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Literacy - Post 2
Coming up with one single definition of literacy is not an easy task. Growing up, I had always thought of literacy as the ability to read and write. As I got older, I have realized this it is much more than that. I think of literacy as any for of communication (reading, writing, speaking, etc) and connecting with and understanding this communication. Through this course so far, I have realized that not everyone has the same definition for literacy and someone's definition always seems to be changing. This course has started to show me that literacy includes questioning, reflecting, connecting, and critiquing pieces of literature. It involved analyzing and thinking deeper about given texts.
I feel that literacy is a continual process. For example, my mom is very technologically illiterate. She has a cell phone, but does not really know how to use it. She can dial a number and answer a phone call, but that is the extent of her knowledge (the idea of texting still confuses her). My parents own a computer but she has never touched it and does not even have the desire to learn how it works. She could become literate in this for of communication but simply chooses not to.
My idea literacy learning environment would be comfortable and welcoming to the students. I have been in countless classrooms where the students do not seem comfortable with their surroundings and it is reflected in their school performance. The students need to feel comfortable in order to have the want to learn. There would need to be a wide variety of materials for the students to use in order to focus in on different aspects of literacy and appeal to a variety of students' interests. Trying to get students to read articles or stories about subject that are not interested in can often make them unmotivated to learn. Once I get my own classroom and have the ability to try different things, I'm sure my ideas of an ideal learning environment will change.
I feel that literacy is a continual process. For example, my mom is very technologically illiterate. She has a cell phone, but does not really know how to use it. She can dial a number and answer a phone call, but that is the extent of her knowledge (the idea of texting still confuses her). My parents own a computer but she has never touched it and does not even have the desire to learn how it works. She could become literate in this for of communication but simply chooses not to.
My idea literacy learning environment would be comfortable and welcoming to the students. I have been in countless classrooms where the students do not seem comfortable with their surroundings and it is reflected in their school performance. The students need to feel comfortable in order to have the want to learn. There would need to be a wide variety of materials for the students to use in order to focus in on different aspects of literacy and appeal to a variety of students' interests. Trying to get students to read articles or stories about subject that are not interested in can often make them unmotivated to learn. Once I get my own classroom and have the ability to try different things, I'm sure my ideas of an ideal learning environment will change.
Literacy: What is it?
I would define literacy as the all-inclusive performance and understanding of language. Literacy does not only apply to reading and writing, although this is how literacy has often been presented to us. However, literacy encompasses so much more. There is the oral part of literacy, that is being able to hear the sounds of language and understand them. Speaking is also an aspect of oral literacy. I think in the past literacy has been seen as specific to reading and writing because the complexity of the two actions were not considered. To be able to read and write requires a person to hear the language in their head. They have to recognize letters of the alphabet and how those letters sound when they are put in different combinations. Reading and writing includes oral language, however sometimes the oral aspect is hidden.
My definition hasn't changed much from how I originally viewed literacy. The readings and our class discussions outlined the idea that there is more to literacy than many give credit. In class, each of our groups pointed out that literacy included all aspects of language and this is something I have thought for a couple years. It was my instruction in TESOL that lead me to this understanding of literacy because we focused so much on how students learn and use a language. However, one thing that I can say is that through our exploration on the subject of literacy I have come to realize the importance of the oral aspects to native English speakers. Before I overlooked this aspect and thought it important to only ELL students but now I see that it is important for any student learning how to read and write.
In a perfect world students would have hundreds of books at all different reading levels to help them improve their reading skills. They would also writing booklets and journals to keep tract of their writings, even if it is a couple sentences. I would like my students to have an opportunity to communicate about literacy with their peers. It shouldn't be just teachers and students interacting but students should be interacting with each other. In my class I would hope that you would see groups of students engaging in book talks, writing stories and sharing with each other, using computers to make writing drafts more professional. Book talks are important because each student reads in different ways. There is not one way to read a book and I think it is important for students to realize this. Also, an important part of literacy is to be able to articulate ideas to other people. This is why it is important for students to share their work with peers because they need to be able to write so that others can comprehend the ideas they want to share. It is also important for students to have the opportunity to type their written work so that they can feel their writing contributions are important. Especially in the technology age that we are in, students need to be literate with computers because of the huge role technology will play in their future education experiences.
My definition hasn't changed much from how I originally viewed literacy. The readings and our class discussions outlined the idea that there is more to literacy than many give credit. In class, each of our groups pointed out that literacy included all aspects of language and this is something I have thought for a couple years. It was my instruction in TESOL that lead me to this understanding of literacy because we focused so much on how students learn and use a language. However, one thing that I can say is that through our exploration on the subject of literacy I have come to realize the importance of the oral aspects to native English speakers. Before I overlooked this aspect and thought it important to only ELL students but now I see that it is important for any student learning how to read and write.
In a perfect world students would have hundreds of books at all different reading levels to help them improve their reading skills. They would also writing booklets and journals to keep tract of their writings, even if it is a couple sentences. I would like my students to have an opportunity to communicate about literacy with their peers. It shouldn't be just teachers and students interacting but students should be interacting with each other. In my class I would hope that you would see groups of students engaging in book talks, writing stories and sharing with each other, using computers to make writing drafts more professional. Book talks are important because each student reads in different ways. There is not one way to read a book and I think it is important for students to realize this. Also, an important part of literacy is to be able to articulate ideas to other people. This is why it is important for students to share their work with peers because they need to be able to write so that others can comprehend the ideas they want to share. It is also important for students to have the opportunity to type their written work so that they can feel their writing contributions are important. Especially in the technology age that we are in, students need to be literate with computers because of the huge role technology will play in their future education experiences.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Week 2 - Definiton of Literacy
I would define literacy as the subject concerning the deciphering of symbols (letters, words, and pictures) to infer meaning. Literacy is about more than just reading and writing, but is about applying what you already know to make meaning of what you are reading and to imply meanings in your writings. Teaching literacy also goes beyond teaching students to read and write. To be a competent educator in the field of literacy, you must be able to choose appropriate texts that are at the reading level and of interest to the student at hand. When teaching literacy you must also be able to show children how they can critically analyze texts.
My definition of literacy has changed since I have started this class as I had never before had to define the word in a literal sense. Once I began to visualize how I see literacy in a classroom, my definition began to change. I realized that one of the important aspects of literacy that I see personally is the ciritical aspect. I believe it is very important to show children how to pick apart and analyze texts when they are reading. This allows children to understand the different aspects of a story, so when they begin developing and writing their own stories, they can understand the inner-workings of a text. I also think it is very important for teachers to critically think about the text which they choose to introduce to their students. In the class reading about the teacher who was introducing culturally diverse texts in her classroom I saw various advantages of this method which I found potentially helpful in the classroom I am currently observing.
In my ideal literacy environment, I envision a collaborative group of students, reading various texts as a class and individually, each contributing to each other's understandings of the texts at hand. I like having texts which the class reads as a whole because it allows students to respond with perspectives that others may have not realized. I also would want children to read books individually based on their own reading levels and interests to create an atmosphere where children are excited to read and intrigued to share their findings and realizations with others. I would also like to encourage writing on a daily basis, covering many genres. I firmly believe that the best way to improve children's writing abilities is to give them opportunities to exercise and revise their skills as often as possible.
My definition of literacy has changed since I have started this class as I had never before had to define the word in a literal sense. Once I began to visualize how I see literacy in a classroom, my definition began to change. I realized that one of the important aspects of literacy that I see personally is the ciritical aspect. I believe it is very important to show children how to pick apart and analyze texts when they are reading. This allows children to understand the different aspects of a story, so when they begin developing and writing their own stories, they can understand the inner-workings of a text. I also think it is very important for teachers to critically think about the text which they choose to introduce to their students. In the class reading about the teacher who was introducing culturally diverse texts in her classroom I saw various advantages of this method which I found potentially helpful in the classroom I am currently observing.
In my ideal literacy environment, I envision a collaborative group of students, reading various texts as a class and individually, each contributing to each other's understandings of the texts at hand. I like having texts which the class reads as a whole because it allows students to respond with perspectives that others may have not realized. I also would want children to read books individually based on their own reading levels and interests to create an atmosphere where children are excited to read and intrigued to share their findings and realizations with others. I would also like to encourage writing on a daily basis, covering many genres. I firmly believe that the best way to improve children's writing abilities is to give them opportunities to exercise and revise their skills as often as possible.
Noteblog 2
Literacy is the basis of every subject, it includes reading, writing, speaking, listening, and everything that encompasses those things (comprehension, sound-letter knowledge, etc.) and how each of these aspects relate to the society in which we live. After today’s discussion, I have come to realize that it is really hard to come up with one single definition that includes all aspects of literacy. Also, literacy and everything it includes is always changing.
I think an ideal literacy learning environment must first start with an overall peaceful, safe, welcoming classroom atmosphere. Only then can students feel comfortable to share their thoughts, ideas, and questions. Also, students should be surrounded by literacy throughout the day. This means they should be reading and writing everyday, and as well as speaking, and listening to other’s speak. Students should feel comfortable, yet challenged. This requires the teacher to truly know her students, and be able to assign level appropriate material.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Course Goals
As a Language Arts major I have spent a lot of time in various literature based courses as well as courses on Language Learning. I am also working on an endorsement in TESOL so I have an understanding of the difficulties of the English language that many native speakers do not notice. Through these experience I have gained an appreciation for diverse literature as well as the challenges language learning.
One thing that I have thought about as I approach this semester and the anticipated teaching of literacy, is the impact that literacy has on the lives of students. Literacy is the basis for every other subject. When students struggle with literacy, it can weaken their achievement in other subject areas. Not only is literacy a crucial component of education but it is also an area where students are at vastly different levels. What concerns me about entering this course is how I am going to adapt literacy lessons to students in my fourth grade class that cover reading levels from below kindergarten to middle school.
In thinking about an urban setting I am reminded about the role that dialect plays in English. I have to be understanding of the fact that the way students learn a language at home may be quite different than the way they are expected to use language in the classroom. Exposure to language is an important factor on how students learn a language and it is often difficult for them to replace internalized habits. This is something I can potentially see as a challenge for me as a teacher in an urban setting but I know that the key to succeeding through the challenge is patience and perseverance.
My hope is that this course will provide me with the tools to create diverse and entertaining lessons in literacy and language arts. I want language arts to be fun for students but also to be portrayed as a major importance in their education. I have ideas for language arts lesson already in my head, however I hope this course will help me develop ways to adapt those lessons to meet the needs of all of the students in my classroom without taking away from the goal of what the lessons were created to accomplish. I really hope that I will find new and innovative ways to present language arts to students of various backgrounds.
One thing that I have thought about as I approach this semester and the anticipated teaching of literacy, is the impact that literacy has on the lives of students. Literacy is the basis for every other subject. When students struggle with literacy, it can weaken their achievement in other subject areas. Not only is literacy a crucial component of education but it is also an area where students are at vastly different levels. What concerns me about entering this course is how I am going to adapt literacy lessons to students in my fourth grade class that cover reading levels from below kindergarten to middle school.
In thinking about an urban setting I am reminded about the role that dialect plays in English. I have to be understanding of the fact that the way students learn a language at home may be quite different than the way they are expected to use language in the classroom. Exposure to language is an important factor on how students learn a language and it is often difficult for them to replace internalized habits. This is something I can potentially see as a challenge for me as a teacher in an urban setting but I know that the key to succeeding through the challenge is patience and perseverance.
My hope is that this course will provide me with the tools to create diverse and entertaining lessons in literacy and language arts. I want language arts to be fun for students but also to be portrayed as a major importance in their education. I have ideas for language arts lesson already in my head, however I hope this course will help me develop ways to adapt those lessons to meet the needs of all of the students in my classroom without taking away from the goal of what the lessons were created to accomplish. I really hope that I will find new and innovative ways to present language arts to students of various backgrounds.
Noteblog 1
As an Integrated Science teaching major, there are certain aspects of literacy (specifically teaching it) that I am hoping to learn through this course. Taking TE 301 made me realize that even though Science may be my favorite subject, I am still required to teach other subjects, and how important literacy is to learners. As I prepare to teach in an urban setting, I can only hope that I have the knowledge and skill to successfully accomplish literacy in my classroom. Knowing the umpteen statistics that are out there regarding literacy rates with children will gear my attentiveness to literacy instruction. Throughout this course I hope to gain the skills necessary to improve the reading scores of behind readers, increase my student’s writing abilities, and doing all of this in a safe and welcoming learning environment. I look forward to learning about how to motivate my students to be excited about reading and writing, and to become life-long learners. I know of assessments that can be given to children in the various areas of literacy, and hopefully through TE 402 I can learn how to use the information gained from assessments to make the best teaching decisions for each of my students.
I want to bloom into a teacher that truly cares and has respect for each student in the class. I want my students to know that in my class is where they can feel safe, and can grow into successful learners. I also want to bloom into a teacher who can be excited about teaching reading and writing and can then, in turn, get my students excited about these topics. I want to become aware of more pieces of literature to use in my classroom and ways to affectively teach these pieces of literature.
Goals for the Course
Written language and spoken language are the basis education and is necessary for all subject areas. Because of this, I have taken a special interest in Language Arts and have made it my concentration within the my teaching major. When I was a student, I never realized the importance of literacy and the subject of language arts. With this realization came a greater appreciation for the subject. I hope to instill a passion for language arts in my students and hopefully this call will prepare me to do so.
Not all students learn the same way and I think that it is incredibly important for teachers to present information in a variety of way to include all learners. I hope to learn different ways of discussing and teaching language arts to my students. I want to be able to present the topic in exciting ways and get children excited about language arts and different kinds of literature.
I have not had much experience in the classroom with literacy and hope to learn different teaching techniques. Most of the work I have done has been with individual students working on worksheets or mini-projects. I have not witness nor participated in many classroom literacy lessons and am eager to see how my CT leads classroom lessons. Personally, I consider the spoken language a part of language arts and working in an urban setting has confirmed my beliefs. The students speak to one another in a way that I was not used to. They is a lot of slang and nicknames that I have never heard before (and to be honest, I sometimes do not really know what they are talking about). This class will hopefully allow me to adjust to linguistic and cultural differences.
Not all students learn the same way and I think that it is incredibly important for teachers to present information in a variety of way to include all learners. I hope to learn different ways of discussing and teaching language arts to my students. I want to be able to present the topic in exciting ways and get children excited about language arts and different kinds of literature.
I have not had much experience in the classroom with literacy and hope to learn different teaching techniques. Most of the work I have done has been with individual students working on worksheets or mini-projects. I have not witness nor participated in many classroom literacy lessons and am eager to see how my CT leads classroom lessons. Personally, I consider the spoken language a part of language arts and working in an urban setting has confirmed my beliefs. The students speak to one another in a way that I was not used to. They is a lot of slang and nicknames that I have never heard before (and to be honest, I sometimes do not really know what they are talking about). This class will hopefully allow me to adjust to linguistic and cultural differences.
Week 1 Noteblog
I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge this semester regarding literacy instruction. I feel that in an elementary classroom this is one of the most important subjects for children to master as literacy is involved in nearly every aspect of classroom learning. Competent reading skills become necessary for children to succeed in other subject areas such as math, science, and social studies. Throughout the semester I hope to learn various methods of literacy instruction and practice those methods while in the classroom. Because reading comes so easy to most adults, it can sometimes be difficult to trace the process back in order to describe to children something as simple as sounding out a word but it is my goal to master this teaching process.
I have had some previous experience with teaching children how to read in an urban setting through the program Read to Succeed. For a semester I would go to an after-school program set up in a church in downtown Lansing to tutor children with a focus on literacy instruction. Most of the children that I tutored were in upper elementary and knew how to read fairly well so we focused mostly on comprehension. As far as comprehension went I found that the most important factor to the children's understanding was their interest in the book. I see this factor play a role as well in the first grade classroom I am in now, however the focus is not on comprehension but simply reading and sounding out words. When guiding the literacy center that allows the children to read whichever book they like I typically spend a great deal of time choosing books for children who seem to be struggling with the one they have chosen based on their interests and reading level. The children are learning phonics to aid in their learning, and I would like to be able to reference back to what they are learning in class to help them when they are sounding out words. This is one of my major goals for the semester. I am also looking forward to learning and implementing various methods of literacy instruction.
I have had some previous experience with teaching children how to read in an urban setting through the program Read to Succeed. For a semester I would go to an after-school program set up in a church in downtown Lansing to tutor children with a focus on literacy instruction. Most of the children that I tutored were in upper elementary and knew how to read fairly well so we focused mostly on comprehension. As far as comprehension went I found that the most important factor to the children's understanding was their interest in the book. I see this factor play a role as well in the first grade classroom I am in now, however the focus is not on comprehension but simply reading and sounding out words. When guiding the literacy center that allows the children to read whichever book they like I typically spend a great deal of time choosing books for children who seem to be struggling with the one they have chosen based on their interests and reading level. The children are learning phonics to aid in their learning, and I would like to be able to reference back to what they are learning in class to help them when they are sounding out words. This is one of my major goals for the semester. I am also looking forward to learning and implementing various methods of literacy instruction.
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