What is Literacy?

Literacy embodies reading and writing; however, when you think deeply about literacy, so many other things are embedded within. In addition to reading and writing, literacy includes prior knowledge, experience, and interests. Can you think of a memory (positive or negative) that has affected the way you think about literacy?Literacy also includes different ways to engage students, for example, during a read aloud, have students repeat certain parts or even act out the story. Another way to engage students is to have students write or draw what their favorite part of the book was. There are so many ways to make literacy engaging for students. Literacy is about making meaning; however, to make something meaningful a connection has to be made, whether it's from prior knowledge or experience.

As teachers, it's important to reflect on our own past experiences with literacy. A creative way to do this is to create a literacy timeline. After creating my literacy timeline, filled with positive and negative moments from preschool through college, I couldn't help but reflect on these moments and how they have affected me as a teacher. I remember enjoying literacy and its creative aspects, for example, writing my own version of a book I read in elementary school. Another thing I enjoyed about literacy was being able to experience it through theater. I have learned from my positive memories, and I have also learned from my negative ones. I want to give my students a choice in what they read. I want to create engaging and authentic lessons that incorporate activities where students will use their imaginations and creativity. Finally, I want to incorporate my student's interests into literacy. Through this my students will make meaning and connect with what they are reading.