Slice of Life: Let's Redefine Literacy #SOL20 #TWTBolg

My refrigerator is a table of contents … I know this may sound odd, but it is true. For any teacher, parent, caregiver or family member who is worried about how kids are going to learn, I think we need to start looking around our homes.  There are learning opportunities everywhere. 

Let’s start with the refrigerator or pantry.

At a time like this, it is essential to organize our food.  When we organize, we have to think through some important considerations:

1)    What should go together and why?

2)    How do we order/place things and why?

3)    How do we see what is missing and make a plan?

4)    How do we notice when we have too much of one type of thing and solve the problem?

5)    What navigational features will help all community members skim and scan to find what they need?

6)    Elimination is a very effective revision strategy. How can you apply this? How does it help you reorganize?

7)    Elaboration is a very effective revision strategy. How can you use less and still have more? How do you make the most of what you have? What supports can you access to get what you need?

Many of the cognitive structures that are necessary to be a strategic reader and writer are also applied in everyday life.  When we read nonfiction, we use the table of contents to help us know how the writer organized the information.  It helps us find the information we need easily and choose the facts we may need for research.  As writers, we need to consider our readers and think about how we will teach them.  It is necessary to plan how to best organize your information to teach your content and your audience. 

Gladwell’s research found that the most accomplished of the students had put in 10,000 hours of practicing what they were trying to learn by the time they turned 20.

We need to look beyond our familiar and often narrow definitions of text, lessons, and literacy.  Right now, time to practice is on our side if we redefine literacy. There are ways to help our kids be a part of our home community AND grow as readers and writers. Literacy must be authentic and meaningful. What is happening in their world right now is authentic and meaningful?  Look around to see what they can do and how they can help, I promise – a lot of it is literacy. Some could even post a feature in the area or add comments, tips, and suggestions. They could present the plan to those living in the space and get feedback to employ.

 My kids are 18 and 20, so if nothing else – my food spaces look better and we are focused on not wasting food by using what we have in stock.  I also am aware that I have food in my pantry and refrigerator. Through this process, we identified what we didn’t need so we could donate to local food pantries. Chances are high that parents, caregivers and family members will get sick.  Literacy is agency. We need to give our kids the tools they need right now to be contributing members of a living, learning community and their broader community if possible. Isn’t that what literacy is all about? It’s time to redefine literacy and what it means to be a reader and a writer.

Be safe. Be well.