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The document discusses several key points about literacy. It states that literacy is evolving beyond just literature to include skills for evaluating online content and becoming content creators. It also discusses the importance of teaching disciplinary literacy strategies so students can learn the practices specific to different subject areas. Finally, it addresses the need to consider diverse learners and differentiate instruction to meet their varied needs through an inclusive environment.

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126 views4 pages

rdg323 A

The document discusses several key points about literacy. It states that literacy is evolving beyond just literature to include skills for evaluating online content and becoming content creators. It also discusses the importance of teaching disciplinary literacy strategies so students can learn the practices specific to different subject areas. Finally, it addresses the need to consider diverse learners and differentiate instruction to meet their varied needs through an inclusive environment.

Uploaded by

api-523679344
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reflection Module 1

Literacy skills are vitally important to students’ success in the classroom and beyond. The

definition of literacy in the 21st century is ever-evolving. Along with content literacy skills,

educators have the responsibility to teach disciplinary literacy to their students. Teachers also

have to differentiate their instruction to meet the diverse needs of their students.

Definition of Literacy in the 21st Century

The definition of literacy goes way beyond literature due to the changing scientific and

technological landscape of today’s world. Students have the opportunity to engage in an

incredible variety of subjects and content and the opportunities for learning and feedback are

endless. When it comes to literacy, students are not passive. They need to develop the skills to be

able to evaluate the content they are consuming and become creators as well. As they create and

collaborate with their peers they need to advocate for accessibility across classes and cultures

(NCTE, 2019).

Importance of Disciplinary Literacy

Disciplinary literacy aligns with the individual practices and goals of a particular

discipline. By learning disciplinary literacy strategies, students are able to optimize their success

within that discipline. Each discipline presents students with specific challenges in regards to

literacy. In math, students have to be able to reconcile letters that represent numbers. In science,

they have to adhere to the strict terminology and syntax related to the scientific method. In

English, students are required to understand grammar and rhetorical tools. In history, students

need to look at biased political material from a neutral standpoint. These are just a few examples

of the problems students encounter. It is vitally important that teachers not only recognize the
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issues particular to their discipline but also help their students develop the skills to overcome

these challenges. Teachers can build upon prior knowledge, build specialized vocabulary, help

students with complex sentences, give them tools to interpret visual elements, and pose relevant

questions (Lee & Spratley, 2010, p. 16). By learning disciplinary literacy strategies students

develop the critical thinking skills necessary to be successful.

Issues related to diverse learners and equity

There are numerous issues educators face in regards to diverse learners and equity. Equity

is not equality. Students do not all start at the same point and so treating them as though they are

equal is completely misguided. “Equity in education requires that conditions are created that

eliminate the obstacles to opportunities regardless of factors like race, gender, family

background, language and poverty” (Valbrun, 2017). Diverse learners include students with

disabilities, students with dyslexia, bilingual students/English language learners, and students

coming from a complex array of cultural backgrounds. When it comes to teaching diverse

learners, we need to reject deficit thinking, focus on students’ strengths, and create an inclusive

environment that embraces diversity (Armstrong, 2017). Teachers have to recognize that each

student brings value to the classroom and that their unique circumstances and background give

them an individual perspective and learning style.

Conclusion

Literacy is not just for English class. Teachers have a responsibility to incorporate

literacy instruction into their classroom and help their students develop both content and

disciplinary literacy skills. Each discipline presents its own learning challenges and students

have diverse needs and backgrounds that require teachers to differentiate their instruction.
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Teachers can optimize student success by not only recognizing this diversity but utilizing it to

create an inclusive and engaging classroom.


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References

Armstrong, T. (2017). Neurodiversity: the future of special education? Educational Leadership,

74(7), 10–16.

Collins, K. & Ferri, B. (2016). Literacy education and disability studies: Reenvisioning

struggling students. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 60(1), p. 7-12.

Lee, C.D., Spratley, A. (2010). Reading in the disciplines: The challenges of adolescent literacy.

New York, NY: Carnegie Corporation of New York.

NCTE (2019, November 7). Definition of Literacy in a Digital Age. Retrieved August 27, 2020,

from https://ncte.org/statement/nctes-definition-literacy-digital-age/

Valbrun, V. (2017, August 10). Equity vs. Equality: Eliminating Opportunity Gaps in Education.

Retrieved September 18, 2020, from http://www.theinclusionsolution.me/equity-vs-

equality-eliminating-opportunity-gaps-education/

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