The article by Karen Cadiero-Kaplan discusses literacy ideologies. Before I read this article, I kind of just assumed that having a literacy ideology meant thinking that all students needed to learn how to read. Clearly I was wrong. So I then was thrown at the idea of it being more complicated than that and then completely was driving the struggle bus as I tried to navigate between the three types of literacy ideologies presented: functional literacy ideology, cultural literacy ideology, an progressive literacy ideology.
Functional literacy ideology is that students need to be taught skills thats will teach them to be successful in school and society. Basically, to be considered to be functionally literate means that a person can read enough to participate in day-to-day activities and to survive. Cultural literacy ideology is that students need to be taught about the culture, values, and morals of society. The under the radar part of that is that it is the dominant culture's culture, values, and morals and doesn't represent any other groups. Progressive literacy ideology is that students need to curriculum that involves the interests of the students. It is about taking advantage of what the student's bring to the table.
Now, I am not one of those people who fits very nicely into one box. So for me, the challenging part is figuring out what I like about each ideology and what I don't like (cough obviously the part about only teaching the dominate culture's culture cough). I want to know how to fit all of these different forms of content into a literacy block without leaving the students unprepared in some areas that do not get touched on as often. I think it is difficult to navigate what parts of each ideology work best with my teaching style and philosophy but also difficult to navigate what parts will help each student succeed to their fullest potential.
What are do you all think? Is there to way to get the best of both worlds and teach it all?
Hi Kim!
ReplyDeleteI was also thinking the same thing about the literacy ideologies about just being able to read. It was kind of mind blowing to think about how all of these ideologies fit into the classroom. I think that the best thing for our students' is to try to include pieces of them into our classrooms. Personally, I think that we should focus on the culture literacy because each student brings so much to the table. Students can learn just about as much from their peers than they can learn about us. While they are learning about other cultures, that isn't all they are learning at the time. They are also learning valuable skills and norms such as being accepting and respectful. At an early age they are learning that not everyone is the same and just how they differ. I feel that if we focus on this at a younger age we will develop a more accepting and knowledgeable society little by little (:
See you tomorrow!
Hey Des, I totally agree with you. I do think cultural literacy is important because it is one of those "content areas" that is not tested so it tends to be overlooked. But I think that it is very important in teaching students how to be good members of society. And I especially agree with focusing on this at a younger age. I had not thought of that but that is very important. *happy face emoji*
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