I found both studies and the perspectives from which they were written very informative. However, I had some trouble maintaining interest and following the author’s points in the Henry article. Perhaps if I had a student with an African-Caribbean background I would have been more interested in the findings and implications her study revealed.
I found the Staples study both interesting and informative. My favorite statement Staples writes is when she agrees that ‘the generic concept of literacy includes the many factors that influence one’s practices of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. People, both individually and communally, engage in literacy practices-intersections of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, with actions, values, attitudes, cultural and power structures-in their everyday lives.’ I couldn’t agree more.
As a result of her understandings and beliefs about literacy, Staples’ approach to motivating students was based on new literacies that included reading, writing, speaking, and listening and how the students outside the classroom used them. She incorporated these new literacies-films, Internet, and magazines-into her literacy program, bringing these ‘outside’ literacies in to be studied.
Not only did Staples conduct her study, but I love that she included practical and applicable ideas and tips for educators in the classroom. I think the bulleted list of expectations practiced by the individuals in the group allowed the students to be open and vulnerable in their writing and conversation. Without these defined boundaries, I feel that the literacy group wouldn’t have been successful.
In addition, I love that she asked the students to choose a role when approaching a piece of work. The different roles the students were asked to choose and explore allowed each to become an expert and feel pride for his or her own work. The roles the student chose reminded me of the jobs delegated in literature circles. I hope to incorporate Staples’ use of roles in literacy in my classroom.
Laura Corbello
Comments (2)
I have used the approach of having children choose roles for activities in my classroom before. They really seem to enjoy it. I think allowing them to choose not only makes them feel involved, but also allows them to choose something they are interested in. It is something that I need to make an effort to do more often.
-Elizabeth Norwood
Posted by Elizabeth Norwood | June 14, 2010 7:36 PM
Posted on June 14, 2010 19:36
Dear Laura,
I too was reminded of the roles in literature circles while reading this research article. By giving them roles & responsibilities, they are given a purpose and direction for the dicussion.
I also liked how Staples used a very practical & authentic approach to engage the students in reading and writing.
Reshawna Greene
Posted by Reshawna Greene | June 14, 2010 8:18 PM
Posted on June 14, 2010 20:18