Critical Literacy: Promoting Curiosity
Being innovative
and creative when teaching is vital as it sparks student’s curiosity. If students
aren’t curious they lack motivation to learn and learning no longer becomes
valuable or cared about. Though this blog runs with the constant Magic School
bus theme, I think it is incredibly important to note why I have chosen it. I have
chosen it because Miss Frizzle, though a cartoon character promotes curiosity
and a passion for learning for her students, and most importantly she
encourages her students to constantly ask questions.
In learning about
critical literacy it has become apparent that perhaps our views of the world
must constantly be examined and questioned. The society in which we live is
ever changing and the experiences that our students face are drastically
different then our own. Guest lecturer, Dr.
Mark Anthony Castrodale explained that through teaching
critical literacy, it will give students a new way of understanding themselves
and others in the world which I believe truly sparks a child’s motivation and curiosity
of learning. Ultimately through teaching
critical literacy is allows students to view the world in a whole new light. Recently,
the Ontario Association of Deans of Education by Dr. Roberge (2013) published an article on teaching critical literacy and found that
through teaching students how to analyze diverse view points and question societal
constructs as well as power relationships resulted in the construction of a
more caring and safe classroom environment. Interestingly, Roberge (2013) not only linked critical literacy to reducing bullying but to
a variety of curriculum expectations and topics. As a result, I found this to
be incredibly valuable as a future teacher as it provided many suggestions on
how to incorporate various games and activities that encouraged children to
question the “truth” and various stereotypes.
Enabling children
to question the “truth” directly relates to understanding and evaluating power
relations. This links to Paolo Friere’s pedagogy of the oppressed as he
emphasized that the purpose of education was to create social change. Critical
literacy incorporates that notion and encourages students to open their eyes to
what is going on in the world through various view points. In a video by Kayla
Dezler from Ted Talks she provides a unique perspective on classroom dynamics
by suggests that students be given opportunities to act as leaders and teachers
within the classroom. I think this goes directly with critical literacy and
enables students to evaluate power relations and their own beliefs and views on
the world around them while learning about the unique views of theirs peers.
Overall, I am truly excited about implementing some of
the activities and ideas presented by Dr. Castrodale that includes showing
students the youtube video of: ‘Fixed” and incorporating activities suggested
by Dr. Roberge that include the ‘culture game’ that encourages children to look
at social change and a variety of perspectives into my classroom teaching. I
also hope to give students leadership roles within my classroom that allows
them to decide which trip our magic school bus should take in order to answer their
questions and enhance their motivation to learn!
References:
Roberge, G. (2013,
June). What Works? Research Into Practice. Retrieved February 20, 2016, from
https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/WW_PromotingCriticalLiteracy.pdf
Pictures:
https://learningshouldbemessy.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/critical-literacy-wordle2.gif
http://theimpersonals.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/284849.jpg
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6vVXmwYvgs
