In my opinion, content area literacy should be included on all learning levels. Teachers can make informational text interesting for students to read. In my classroom, instead of forcing students to read only informational text provided by the teachers, students will be encouraged to use technological resources to read and find information on topics of their interest. I personally have to give google credit for approximately 35 percent of my educational knowledge. Education is an area that sparked my interest, therefore I am constantly researching and reading about education. This same concept applies to many students. Content area literacy could spark the interest in a child and encourage them to research more information in their own time. The article also discussed how k-12 should be reading content area literacy. I agree with this mainly because it is an effective use of instructional time. When students begin to learn about something new they become more interested or curious about the topic. If a student is reading a fictional story, there is no further learning taking place other than reading. Informational text can get students interested, which leaves a classroom open for inquiry and discussion. Basically, I feel that content area literature promotes authentic teaching opportunities by covering a number of topics, getting students attention, and striking their curiosity.
What types of content area literacy can be used in a kindergarten classroom?
Should students be allowed to find their own idea of "content area literature" to bring to class? There is no way for a teacher to know if what the child is reading is grade level appropriate for every student, but it would encourage students by giving them some freedom.
Summer, I agree with you about content area literacy sparking the interest in a child which would encourage them to research more information on their own. The more that students read about different topics and from different sources, the more their eyes are open to new things. Those new things could motivate them to increase their knowledge on the subject and search for more texts to read. I also agree that content area literature will strike a student’s curiosity in certain subjects which is our goal for our students. By providing freedom from text books and giving students variety it will create new opportunities for teachers and students in the classroom. You made very good points and I agree with them all.
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ReplyDeleteSummer, I love your responce to the article. Thinking back to my childhood I believe that my love for reading would be stronger if I was given the option to select the text that I was expected to read. I also agree with your statement about google being a great asset. I too rely on search engines when I'm not sure of something or when I need help with assignments that I do not fully understand. I believe that with an incorporation of both allowing students to select their topics of choice and allowing them to use search engines to complete assignments, children will have a better understanding and enjoyment for the assignments they must complete. THUMBS UP SUMMER!!!!!
ReplyDeletein a K room: creating alphabet books, shape books, animal books, drawing as a way to talk about what they are thinking (to practice talking and to practice writing--drawing is, after all, a form of written communication)
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