I came into this class with the understanding that "critical literacy" meant being able to "read and write the world." Through this literacy class and others I am taking simultaneously, however, I have become more aware of how students become literate, different practices to help them, achievement gaps in schools, etc. With all of these, my idea of critical literacy and what good teaching looks like have become more refined.
Good teaching now looks more like this: specific and intentional questioning, scaffolding, lack of assumptions, not simply giving information but facilitating the discovery of that information, not merely teaching facts but teaching thinking.
I would say my definition of Critical Literacy has expanded from simple being able to "read and write the world" to being able to read, write, listen to and understand, and speak about the world. And more specific to my classroom, being able to critically think about and question, and then use the tools discovered my class to do so.
Good teaching now looks more like this: specific and intentional questioning, scaffolding, lack of assumptions, not simply giving information but facilitating the discovery of that information, not merely teaching facts but teaching thinking.
I would say my definition of Critical Literacy has expanded from simple being able to "read and write the world" to being able to read, write, listen to and understand, and speak about the world. And more specific to my classroom, being able to critically think about and question, and then use the tools discovered my class to do so.
You have good definitions of critical literacy and I’m able to see your growing understanding of the continuum of theory and its application in your teaching. Understanding the power of the theoretical tools and lenses available to us can help us as teachers to move our teaching from narrow task based skills to more complex empowering forms of these skills that promote critical literacy and a commitment to more inclusive classrooms that promote social justice and an individual value in our students. I hope you’ll continue to reflect on and understand the theories that inform your teaching so you can be deliberate and intentional in your instructional choices
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