Study Document
Children's Literature to Explore Social Essay
Pages:4 (1280 words)
Sources:5
Subject:Literature
Topic:Contemporary Literature
Document Type:Essay
Document:#1123079
Because schools matter so greatly in shaping the destiny of each child, they have always been the focus of intense, often unfriendly, attention. Criticisms of the system have always been abundant, and the targets of dissatisfaction have remained virtually the same over generations (13).
By properly utilizing children's literature to identify and then to address social issues, more equity can be engendered within a social system in which those from "privileged backgrounds" are favored.
An analysis of present and previous literature on the methodology of most prudently employing children's literature to address social issues readily indicates that the most successful, thought-provoking manner for doing so lies in utilizing an approach of cultural literacy. This principle denotes an active exploration on the process of both children and their teacher to bring their viewpoints to the literary works they are engaged in, in order to "construct meaning" (Responding to Literature, 419). Critical literacy revolves around constantly questioning literature, such as determining who the author is, what his or her reason for writing the text may have been, why certain events took place and what their significance is, etc. This process of questioning literature is referred to as interrogating texts (Responding to Literature, 420), and allows for children and their teachers to be able to understand the underlying social significance of literary works, and allows them to more readily apply them to their own lives by drawing necessary parallels between the two.
An integral component in enacting cultural literacy, of course, is selecting the proper literature with which to edify child readers with. Part of the process in selecting appropriate materials is finding stories with which children find interesting as well as can identify with. There are a number of methods that can be used to do so, the most salient of which have been summarized by the following quotation.
The most important things teachers can do when engaged in selecting reading materials are to be aware of their own biases and values; to stay current with issues, themes, and book publications and reviews; and to maintain files of policy statements, useful resources, procedures for dealing with challenges to materials, and guidelines from recognized authorities (Responding to Literature, 414).
While keeping this advice in mind, teachers can find a number of excellent pieces of children's literature relevant to Canada's burgeoning population developments in a number of publications, not the least of which are CM: Canadian Review of Materials -- which offers book reviews as well as author profiles of Canadian writers -- Canadian Children's Literature, which contains articles about children's literature with a Canadian slant, Teacher Librarian, The Horn Book, The Reading Teacher, as well as Language Arts. Catalogues and books on the subject include Canadian Book Review Annual and Our Choice, while a website that is helpful is known as School Libraries in Canada (Responding to Literature, 414). By conducting research via these media, and utilizing a text interrogation teaching style that typifies cultural literacy, teachers can sufficiently use childhood literature to confront social issues, whether children are engaged in shared reading or performance reading, which is the reading aloud of pleasure for oneself or for others (Pinnell, Fountas, 47).
References
Pinnell, G.S., Fountas, I.C. (2007). The Continuum of Literacy Learning, Grades K-8. Portsmouth: Heinneman.
Energizing Ontario Education. (2008). Reach Every Student. Retrieved from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/energize/
For the Love of Learning. (1994). Ontario: Queens Printer.
No author. (2010). "Literacy Statistics." Canada.com. Retrieved from http://www2.canada.com/national/features/raiseareader/statistics.html
Responding To Literature. www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/energizewww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/energizewww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/energizewww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/energize
Sample Source(s) Used
References
Pinnell, G.S., Fountas, I.C. (2007). The Continuum of Literacy Learning, Grades K-8. Portsmouth: Heinneman.
Energizing Ontario Education. (2008). Reach Every Student. Retrieved from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/energize/
For the Love of Learning. (1994). Ontario: Queens Printer.
No author. (2010). "Literacy Statistics." Canada.com. Retrieved from http://www2.canada.com/national/features/raiseareader/statistics.html
Related Documents
Study Document
Children's Literature the Genre of
For instance, in Jacob Have I Loved, a twin comes of age in the 1940s, and finds that she indeed can make ordinary life more than extraordinary. Realistic fiction also tends to be more contemporary in tone, connecting with issues that are relevant to contemporary family situations. Issues such as divorce, dysfunctional families, adoptions, etc. are dealt with in a serious and relevant manner; in On My Honor, a
Study Document
Children's Literature to Dispel the
16). In comparing a number of literary elements in one story, Smith and Wiese (2006) contend that at times, when attempting to transform an old story into a modern multicultural version, cultural meanings of the original story may be lost. In turn, the literature does not subject the reader to another culture. For instance, in the story about the fisherman, that Smith and Wiese access, the plot remains similar plot,
Study Document
Children and Youth Services
youth transition out of foster care as they "age-out" of the system. This can prove to be a very challenging and difficult phase for young people as they are expected to take on adult responsibilities and make their own way in the world. Whether youth successfully transition from foster care to independent living is multifaceted, and requires detailed investigation in order to illuminate how the foster care system can
Study Document
Social Business and Retailer
business2community.com/social-media/2012s-ten-worst-social-media-Disaster-0370309 Using contemporary illustrative examples from academic literature and reputable business publications, discuss the concept of "Social Business" and the resultant opportunity and challenges that are currently being faced by the retail industry globally. Concept of Social Business Concept of Social Business with Retailers Social Media and Retailing Best Practices in Administering Social Media There is a growing body of research that confirms that companies of all sizes and types can realize a wide array
Study Document
Children Education Military Deployed Parent Perceptions of Involvement...
Military Deployed Parent Perceptions of Involvement in the Education of their ChildrenChapter Four: FindingsOverviewThis transcendental phenomenological study\\\'s objective was to explore the perceptions and lived experiences of deployed military parents regarding active involvement in their child\\\'s education. Within the broad objective, the central question was: What are the perceptions and lived experiences of deployed military parents regarding active involvement in their child\\\'s education? However, to capture all the necessary details
Study Document
How Restorative Justice Can Mediate Anti-Social Behaviors
Social Disorganization Theory There are myriad examples in the literature of how the social disorganization theory links street crimes with ecological themes in certain tough neighborhoods. The sociological aspect of the theory -- wretched socioeconomic conditions and mean, gang-dominated streets offer more of an accounting for crime or delinquency than the individuals who commit crimes -- has been tested and referenced as valid by numerous scholars and researchers. The theory seems