The Literacy Playshop approach is one that incorporates teacher-created media-based playshops where children create films and collaborate through play. Throughout the past few years pop culture has had an impact on young children's lives. Most children encounter pop culture every day, whether it's seeing Spider-Man on a backpack or wearing a Frozen t-shirt.The Literacy Playshop approach is based on children's expertise on media and teacher's mediation skills. Children are able to produce films on their own terms using materials they know best, for example, the toys they play with at home. During these activities teachers can encourage children to collaborate productively. When teachers recognize children's interests in pop culture, they can use them as literacy resources to inform children's reading and writing. Through play, storying, collaboration, and production, children will be able to make meaning of their literacy playshop.
Literacy Playshop is a great way for teachers to incorporate pop culture into the classroom. Additionally, it allows students to collaborate and share ideas through play. After reading about teachers who have incorporated the playshop into their classrooms, I know that it is something that can be done. I am interested to see how my playshop goes with the student that I have chosen to work with. Literacy Playshop is an approach that provides evidence that pop culture can be incorporated into the classroom effectively.
No tables or chairs,
Children can express themselves
In other ways too.
If you were to enter a classroom without tables and chairs, what would you think? Let's say it's a first grade class. No tables, no chairs. While this could be alarming to some educators, it's important to think about the message being sent about the absence of this kind of furniture. I would assume that a classroom without tables and chairs would use that open space for multiple purposes. The teacher is most likely engaging his or her students in discussions, interactions, and experiences so that their students are able to make meaning of what they are learning. One thing I could imagine occurring in a large space is the teacher encouraging students to engage in whole-group discussion. Furthermore, I can imagine that there would be a lot of read alouds and shared reading in this space. Another activity I can imagine happening in this space is a lot of interaction between the teacher and the students, especially if the students are bringing a concept or a book to life through dramatic play. Establishing a classroom with no tables and chairs depends on one's teaching beliefs. Personally, I would be curious to see how my students react to this type of environment. Additionally, I'd love to engage them in meaningful literacy activities this way. Learning will always be happening, just through other ways than sitting at a table with a pencil and piece of paper. The haiku I have written above reflects my thoughts about a classroom with no tables or chairs. Children will be able to express themselves, even if they aren't sitting at a table. Giving children space to share ideas will allow them to be engaged in all kinds of literacy activities.
