Which literacy narratives did you read? (This can be in the form of a list)?
-Reading Gone Wrong (Shaylee Amidon)
-Expect The Unexpected (Michael Tuzzo)
-How English Got Turned Around (Shamus Gorman)
-Live of Die (Paige Hibbard)
-How I reset my life by reading (Ally Karriker)
-Eyes wide open (Ericka. B)
-My Mom Prepared Me for the World (Alexis Ouellette)
-Literacy Moment (Lindsey Webb)
What ideas and experiences do some of the literacy narratives you read seem to share?
After reading Shaylee Amidon’s ‘Reading Gone Wrong’, it reminded me of my past experience at school. I took a literature exam when I was in high school. One of the questions was about which word in a passage most relates to certain word in a poem. The answer I chose was judged wrong and a lot of other students who chose the same answer were puzzled. I was not persuaded by the teacher’s explanation of the chosen answer and tried to explain how I thought about my answer. After a while, both answers were admitted. I felt from this incident that the ability to interpret literature should not be evaluated by multiple choices exams. Each students understand the certain meaning of the words differently. Literature interpretation depends on one’s background and perception. Multiple choice exams are not the best way to judge the ability. I think this connects to Shaylee’s experience at school. Shaylee was put down for being different by others choices in school. Her book was taken away by her teacher even if she convinced the teacher it was not adult books. She was put down for a personal choice at other things too but she kept determined attitude toward what she believed was right. I had similar view with Shaylee and this made my choice admitted as another answer at the literature exam.
What unique ideas and experiences did you find in the literacy narratives you read?
At “How English got turned around” by Shamus Gorman, his attitude toward learning English changed after meeting new teacher. At the age of 12, any educational help from a teacher would be helpful but in case of Shamus it wasn’t unfortunately. The teacher he met would never put her effort into the students and always move at her own pace. This made him set a negative mindset toward learning English. However this changed when he met a new teacher who was helping, kind and caring type of person. She helped change his outlook not only for English, but school in general. This story shows how important it is to meet a proper mentor when it comes to learning something. I had similar experience in school when my mindset toward struggling subject turned after meeting a new teacher.
What are the literacy narratives you read saying to you about reading, writing, and learning?
In “Expect The Unexpected” by Michael Tuzzo, he is saying the personality of a teacher affects a lot on student’s mindset toward learning English. In contrast to the teacher in Shamus’s story, teacher in Michael’s story taught his class as if students should be running it with him. With his caring personality he made sure all of the students pass the classes. This led the students learn essential skills in English. Especially for Michael active reading and public speaking skills still sticks to him today.
What questions might you want to put to the writers of the literacy narratives you read? PRO TIP: Think back to Gee.
“He taught his class as if students should be running it with him. We have to start off every class with one of his students starting a discussion question. Or sometimes we’d have to pick out a quote we found interesting in our reading and start a discuss off of that. Because he taught us differently I learned more and it gave me the opportunity to stick with me for the rest of my life” This is the part of explaining active engagement as a learner. In Michael’s narrative, he talked a lot about Mr.Kwon. It seemed that he is keeping a lot on Kwon. I wanted to know what the readers should take from this part besides emphasizing the importance of a good teacher.
