This final chapter is a fine recap to what will be the source of a lot of my enduring understandings when it comes to literacy. To pick out one thing to talk about I thought about which of the book's themes I would try to use the most in the classroom. On p. 295 "Students should read for the same purposes as literate adults, for both information and pleasure. A sense of personal purpose is key to their reading success." sums it up well. As a future social studies teacher trying to get the students engaged in what they read will be my main goal. Understanding how history connects to the present is one of the pillars of History and Social Sciences. I will have to try to connect what may be "boring" to the students to something they can relate to. Reading the Magna Carta and knowing it was signed in 1215 is pointless unless you can show the students how it set the stage for a social contract between ruled and ruler and how that relationship has manifested into its current form. Reading for enjoyment is great, but as an educator understanding literacy as a tool to engage in society will always be a goal. These kinds of skills will help the students be better, more productive members of society. That is what we are all trying to do, teach children skills that will make them better adults.
An essay connecting Historical Text to contemporary issues.
Hi Jake!
ReplyDeleteI love your goal to make social studies relatable to your students. I strongly agree that this will make your role as teacher smoother within the classroom. If students understand the impact that such topics have on them, they will more likely appreciate the material. I was talking with my cooperating teacher last week, and she commented on the importance of relatabilty. She has found that her students are more willing to participate and engage in the material when, for example, major themes are explored (such as Macbeth and betrayal).
I like your point that "reading for enjoyment is great, but as an educator understanding literacy as a tool to engage in society will always be a goal." I agree with both of these; I'm a strong advocate for recreational reading, but I also appreciate that students must be literate from various angles to engage in society.
Have a great summer!