What is Critical Literacy?

What is critical literacy?

As a teacher, Critical Literacy is the way we teach students to view and respond to text. It is a standard of higher order questioning skills used by the teacher thus allowing students to think and use the resources around them to organize their world.

Critical Literacy can be spoken, written or viewed. In the classroom, teachers create a conducive environment that is print rich and reflect students' work in all forms. Activities supported by Critical Literacy are debates, narrative essays, poetry, biographies, plays, and dramatization. These are opportunities to question, problem-solve, create solutions and analyze for clarity and understanding.

For the Early childhood population and the elementary grades, there is a "text-text" and "text to self" component when dealing with Critical Literacy. How do students feel about what they are doing? What relationship do they have with the text? How do they relate to text? Do they have the taxonomy? Do they know the taxonomy? Do they know the writing standards - How to write a sentence? How to write a paragraph?). These are some of the questions that derive from an effective classroom.  The answers according to Freire is in the "question-posing concept" where students as well as teachers are learning together.

Is Gaming a component of Critical Literacy?

I think gaming would be considered a component of critical literacy because students are interacting, viewing, problem solving and applying what is learned to real life situation. We spoke in class about rules. Well the games have written rules and objectives that students must identify with to meet the challenges of being considered a winner. Students will develop and learn creative ways to navigate the game, develop a resolve that it is a game and not real life and create opportunities to conduct discussions on aspects of the game. (connection to self).

I tried the sample games Professor Hochman suggested. The games were entertaining and engaging and as I played I understood the attraction that youngsters have to gaming, but for me, well the jury is still out to lunch. Something can be said about gaming in the libraries, for students will stand and wait their turn just to either complete a game or begin a new challenge.

"Gaming" is not allowed in my elementary school but after playing the sample games, it is worth further investigation for inclusion in my school.

Introduction

This is my first attempt to blog. I should have chosen the name from one of my favorite picture book, "Leo The Late Bloomer" to represent my lack of knowledge with this new technology, but I am confident that my adventure will result in a happy ending like Leo.

My passion is teaching and learning. My dream position is that of the Library Media Specialist in a school but for now being an Early Childhood Teacher is quite satisfying. My greatest joy is to see the look of enjoyment on the faces of the children that I teach when I read their favorite book.

My academic life at Pratt is awesome. The professors are knowledgeable in their respective field and have given me the resources to help me transition from a good teacher to a better teacher. Socially, I continue to meet new individuals who share my passion. On many occasions we gulp coffee before class, share study tips and chew trident gum to keep awake on those long stressful nights.

I look forward to learning new things that I can apply in my day to day routine. I embrace my new learning with joy and ease.


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Introduction

Greetings everyone.

This is the first time that I have ever blogged. I am excited to learn how to blog with ease and enjoyment. At this moment I am nervous that information will be floating in cyberspace along with my pride. I feel confident so I am going to begin with my profile.

Teaching and learning is my passion. It warms my heart when I see the look of excitement on my students’ faces as I read their favorite stories. I enjoy my work but of course my dream position would be that of a school media center librarian.

My academic life at Pratt is awesome. Some professors have broaden my experiences and provided me with the tools necessary to become a more effective educator. I also met some wonderful students with almost the same passion. We shared study tips, and exchanged stories about our respective careers and positions. We also shared trident gum and gulp coffee to keep awake on those long stressful days.

I am excited about this class and I look forward to new ideas and new ways to incorporate instructional technology in my everyday routine.