Children covered in glitter and glue is a sight to witness. Scattered around the room are broken crayons, uncapped markers, and torn paper scraps. This image at the end of the day at a preschool means that it has been a good day. When the day had just begun the sound of feet pattering and bouncing down the hallway was perceptible. The teachers knew that when all the children entered the room and saw the table aligned with crafts every student’s eyes would light up with excitement.
Some may say that educational systems are superior, however, some can argue that the educational system needs a change. Francine Prose’s purpose in “I Know Why The Caged Bird Cannot Read” stood out clearly, to inform parents on how the current system of education is ineffective to young learners. Her use of words, ethos, logos and pathos appeals to educators and students to inspire change in their education standards.
Research has shown literacy is one of the most important but most complex subject taught within the education system (Bickart &Dodge, 1999). However despite it’s complexity it is still one of the most important subject, because the lack of literacy skills affect all other subject area. “Language is critical for learning across the curriculum” (Copple, Bredekamp, Koralek &Charner, 2013). Language is important because language has various function, it works as expression for feeling, as mediator in thought and it helps to provide mental representation (Copple, Bredekamp, Koralek &Charner, 2013). It is also proven that language develop rapidly during the early childhood years (Copple, Bredekamp, Koralek &Charner, 2013). By age 1 children say their first words and by 3 years children learn 300 to 1000 words; This is how rapid language is learnt (Gorden & Browne,2013). It is for all these reason us as early childhood educators must take advantage of this crucial time period where children are like sponge they soak in all information and concept.
My relationship with literacy has been a journey all on its own. From learning how to sound out letters and words, to reading my first sentence , I have developed quite a valuable foundation and platform, that will eventually guide me to success. I have had the pleasure of experiencing a love that just continues to blossom. A love that will never fail, nor will I fail it. This love that I speak of is my passion for reading, writing and literacy as a whole.
Alexie states that he doesn’t remember much about what he read, but he remembers one important detail. He remembers when he learned to read. The panel that first taught him how to read was a scene of Superman breaking down a door. I believe this detail is important because Alexie is beating the odds, or breaking down a barrier, when he learns how to read so well. Because of his love of reading, Alexie wants to share the art of words with other Indian children. He wants to break down the barrier, or door, that makes them not want to read. Alexie wants more Indian children to beat the odds, so he tries to get through to them by breaking down their barriers. He is trying to save their lives just like Superman saved others’ lives and Alexie saved his own.
My personal literacy story might be considered as a short story. My literacy story stated very young with my mother and father reading me stories before I could read; some stories that were told to me were bible stories, Junie B Jones, Magic Tree house, and of course superhero comics.
Since I was young, I have been passionate about lending a hand, to a person I felt needed support and this passion helped shape what my future may hold. An event happened that has been instrumental in developing my character and guiding my choices ever since. It was a late summer night and it was almost midnight when my soccer game ended, After the game, I ran into the washroom because I was dying to ease myself. I took an excessive time and missed my ride home; they must have thought I had another ride home. My situation made me become bewildered at what to do next then, I thought to myself on giving my mother a call. My bag was by my side so I reached into my bag for my phone and tried turning it on but, it was unresponsive so I figured my phone battery was dead.
Literature has been a widely debated topic throughout centuries all over the world. In addition, reading literature properly is an emulated skill within the English community. Once the trade of understanding literature is mastered, reading become a beautiful experience. How to Read Literature like a Professor is a guide that shortens the pathway through reading and understanding. This meritorious literary selection provokes an aesthetic response because it challenges the reader to remember novels are not original, meaning, and structure.
In terms of curriculum planning and initiatives to select core texts for instruction, at least one conversation should be held in regards to the real world application and relevance of a text. The idea that a text is relevant to the current society as well as student lives is crucial to a successful school environment. Students must be able to make direct connections between what they are reading and the world around them. Teachers are the necessary connectors of the concepts.
Once upon a time about 30 years ago, I was just a little girl who wanted to explore the world. I wanted to explore the world through reading, but like many I wasn’t there yet. So here is the story about how I became a reader. With this week readings I learned that a child’s reading foundation can play a major part in how they comprehend things later in life. Growing up I thought that my reading wasn’t as great as my friends. As a matter of fact, I thought that the person who read the fastest was the smartest, but I quickly learn that to not be true. Actually with me reading slower I was able to comprehend the things that I read. Early Beginnings: Early Literacy Knowledge and Instruction talked about the importance of learning in the early years from birth to five. When I was small I attended daycare and I believe that learning while in daycare played a major role in my reading foundation.
Reading has at all times and in all ages been a great source of knowledge. It widens the horizon of thinking. It plays a key role to academic success. The ability to read is highly valued and very important for social and economic advancement. However, when students walk into their English classes, no one anticipates for the professor to ask, what does reading mean? The majority, probably have never pondered the question before and almost everyone will likely not have a vivid memory of when they first realize they could read. Alberto Manguel did, when he walked us through his memory of being four years old and discovering he could read, in his essay “Reading Our World Around Us” (5). Manguel also speaks of reading as an acquired sense; beyond eyesight, beyond touch and taste, but a “sense that can decipher, translate and give voice to, reading” (6). Then there is Rick Moody, author of “The Joy and Enthusiasm of Reading,” who proposes that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to read a text. After reading Rick Moody’s essay,
Rick Moody is the author of “The Joy and Enthusiasm of Reading”, an article that gives examples of factors that influenced his way of thought about reading. He elaborates on open text and how he was taught tools from his prior teachers to better understand the text. Despite what critics have said, Moody insists that there will never be a right or wrong way to read a book. Moody illustrates reading through open text which focuses on individuality where every person has a different outlook and perception of life in this generation.
One of my favorite memories growing up is how much time I spent reading. Whenever I got a new book I couldn 't put it down. I remember that I would always read on the bus ride home. Reading was something that I liked to do. As I’ve gotten older my choice of books has changed alot, a different genre for each of my phases. Today the books that always manage to get my attention are usually the books based on true events.
Lenses on Reading:An Introduction to Theories and Modelsis an excellent read. The authors bring a lot of useful information to not only the field of education but to the classroom. Throughout the book, the authors provided vignettes to show theoretical models in action which gives the reader a visual of how the theoretical model can be applied. The layout of the chapters was in chronological order which is was also helpful. The layout shows the reader the development of literacy theories from Early Theories and Models Applicable to Reading through the 21st century. It was interesting to see some of the theories overlapping each other and some of the theories were developed upon by other scholars. For example, the Schema Theory was developed further by Louise Rosenblatt’s Transactional Theory.