Literacy

• What does the term "literacy" mean to you?
• Why do you feel literacy is important?
• As teachers, what should our goals be for teaching literacy?
• What's a key thing we can do to strengthen the literacy skills of our students?

Literacy to me means much more than just the ability to read words off a page or write words down. I think it is a hugely important skill to function in society today. I have had students, refugees in particular, that have come into my classroom that are illiterate in their native language. It is sometimes shocking to me that this is still possible this day and age, but these students often come from extreme circumstances. As teachers, our goals for literacy should be to promote it as much as possible. Encouraging kids to read at a young age helps to promote lifelong learners. I think a key thing we can do to strengthen the literacy skills of our students is to find high interest materials. I have one student in particular who hates to read, however, I found out that he loves animals. I think he has now checked out every animal book in the library! I have other students who are more likely to read if it's on the Ipad because they think that it's "so cool" to be able to use this technology. I think teachers have to get creative with literacy at times, but it is definitely possible to find that niche with each and every student.