Top 5 Ways To Be More Responsive To The Literate Needs of Adolescents

This semester has stretched and enriched my understanding of adolescent literacy. After reflecting on the rich dialogue that permeated this semester, here are the top five ways that I believe I can be more responsive to the literate needs of my students next semester and years to come:

1) Expand my definition of what it means to be literate

Literacy extends far beyond print text. That is, literacy is not only a cognitive process, it is a social and cultural practice. Literary consists of much more than students ability to read and write. For adolescents to be literate, they need to be able to analyze and synthesize information across a wide variety of texts. Literacy is a dynamic practice that affects every aspect of life.

2) Acknowledge the role of identity; Humanize the classroom

Identity affects literacy; adolescents are deeply driven by their sense of identity. They are motivated by whether or not they feel like they belong within the particular settings of their life. Often times, students use (or rejection) of specific reading strategies is rooted in how they identify themselves as readers, and how they wish to be identified by their peers/teachers.

Educators must understand that students’ engagements are largely rooted in their identity. That is, teachers must find ways to bridge the gap between students’ cognitive abilities, and students’ sociocultural worlds. Teachers must seek out ways to identify and be sensitive to the role of identity in the classroom. Students need to be understood by their teacher just as much as they need to understand a list of reading strategies. The classroom needs to acknowledge, upload and value the humanity of all students.

3) Situate learning in the context of inquiry

Learning cannot be divorced from a task. Students need to be given something worth thinking about, and then apply what they have learned to a real task.

Education is much more than an information dump; the purpose of education should be much broader and deeper: to teacher students to learn to think critically, to examine multiple perspectives, and problem solve

4) Choose texts worth thinking about

As just discussed, learning must be situated in the context of inquiry. Therefore, students need to read texts that provide ideas and stories worth thinking about. Educators should use texts that connect to issues in real life. Teachers should strive to find texts that can students can relate to and apply within their own lives, communities, and the world around them.

5) Understand that teaching is always a response to what students need

Educators must constantly listen, access and respond to the specific needs of students. They are the heartbeat of our careers.