The Impact of Literacy on the lives of Individual Children
Literacy has always been incredibly
near and dear to my heart. When I was nine years old my family moved from
Colorado to Kansas. I moved from a school with lots of friends to a very
unfriendly class. From third grade on I sought out new friends and adventures
in my books. I walked through school with monster-sized books under my arms.
When I didn’t want to be in an cold classroom, I could escape through the
books to a new world. During a difficult time in my life literature provided
refuge. My problems were minimal. Everyday children encounter huge trials and
difficulties. I want to be a teacher who can teach students about this beautifully
safe place. Through literacy worlds of opportunity become available. As I
continued through school my love of reading helped me succeed in school.
Over the last few months I’ve
learned so much about what literacy is, of its importance, and of the basics of
how it develops. I have come to realize that there are more texts available to
students than simply words on the page. As an educator I can help students
develop literacy in multiple texts. I can also draw upon the literacies they already possess in helping them to develop more literacy. In addition to teaching students about how
to communicate, a text like music, art, or drama can help students through difficulties
in their own lives.
I’ve also come to appreciate the
importance of giving students choice and opportunity in the classroom. I think
it’s paramount that teachers make literacy enjoyable. It’s a life skill that
students need, and being self-motivated in this area is incredibly beneficial.
Overall, I’ve learned that literacy
is communicating and understanding communications about our world. As teachers
work with each of their students to instill a love for literacy, schooling can
improve, and most importantly the lives of children we’ll be blessed.
How did literacy impact YOUR life?!
How did literacy impact YOUR life?!
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| One Second Grader whose life was changed through literacy! |
Like you, I grew up in a life where literacy provided refuge for me. When I started high school I depended on literacy more than any other time in my life. My older sister had just been diagnosed with cancer and I never felt more alone. My parents would often leave home for many days at a time to care for my sister in the hospital, four hours away from my house. I was left at home, in an endless world of contemplation and the only thing that gave me relief were the books that I would read. Dealing with cancer is difficult for a 15 year old and so I would escape into other worlds with much easier conflicts. Choosing between a vampire and a warewolf seemed like a dream compared to the life I was living.
ReplyDeleteThat's the beautiful part about literacies and words in a book. They are able to change and person and give them new emotions. I appreciated that for many many years and I still do. I plan to help my students to explore literacies in their own lives. I have seen what a blessing it can be in a child's life. I hope to help them to feel the same refuge that I felt in a time of need.