Literacy Defined

My ideas of literacy are continuing to change throughout my education, as we are continually learning new aspects that can be put into the definition of "literacy." We have learned about concepts of print, vocabulary, motivation and so many other factors that go in to the main category of literacy, but those are more like elements of the overall topic than part of the definition itself. I had originally just thought that literacy consisted of reading and writing, and that is also how it was defined in the Tompkins textbook, but after class last week my views and definitions are changing. I'm still not sure if I have a set definition that I can apply to the term, but for now I believe that literacy is the ability to comprehend and effectively use reading, writing, listening and speaking. These tasks are important when trying to convey and understand messages, as well as for communication and learning information.

I think a good literacy environment would welcome students to the ideas of the elements presented in the definition above. One idea that would encourage this would be to have a comfortable reading area set up in the classroom, with books that not only enhance students learning but also their interest in reading books of all different types and genres. Fostering student writing is also beneficial, as students should feel comfortable and excited about expressing ideas in a written fashion. My mentor teacher provides this for the students in her classroom by giving each student a journal to write in. When they finish with an assignment, they are given free time to write whatever they feel like in their journals, allowing them to practice expression as well as their writing skills. Since the students are in kindergarten, this expression is sometimes brought out in drawing instead of writing, but the concepts are still being learned and practiced. In my placement, the students are often given multiple options to practice speaking with their peers in conversation as well as in front of the class. My MT wants her students to be literate individuals, and believes that reading, writing, speaking and listening are all crucial tools in order for this to occur.