A multiliterate pedagogy is one that is
inclusive of the classroom as a social environment, and the relationships among
social and cultural diversity (Anstey & Bull, 2006). In order to successfully
develop multiliterate learners, one must facilitate an environment that engages
the learner, while being inclusive of every individual in the classroom. In
order to implement effective literate practices, educators have to be aware of
their students’ cultural background.
According to Anstey and Bull, productive
pedagogies include intelluctual quality, connectedness, supportive classroom
envrionment, and the recognition of difference. Students will often feel
connected if the educator implements meaningful experiences that are relevant
to their lives. Connectedness involves fostering classroom experiences that
includes being respectful of culturally diverse backgrounds such as race,
religion, gender, socioeconomics, language and more. Multiliterate researchers
have found that a classroom environment that is inclusive of fostering and
understanding diversity is one that successfully develops multiliterate
learners.
Since different literacy practices may
differ among cultures and settings, the teacher should encompass learning
activities that acknowledge their diversity. An example of this would include
students reading about a recent event in their community. According to Slavin, educators who
plan their actions and lessons based on the needs of their students are
practicing the construct of intentionality. Intentional teachers are
individuals who take the time to critically think about their students, develop
and implement lessons and activities that will move children toward gaining competence
(Slavin, 2012.)
This reminded me of the readings from the
previous chapter. We discussed how a student’s meaning of literacies may differ
due to their personal attitudes and beliefs. I think this goes hand-in-hand
with diversity. Each students comes to school with their own “cultural
backpack” so to speak. In other words, individuals enter the classroom with
their own unique set of experiences, backgrounds.
Food for
thought:
Building on
Windows and Mirrors: Encouraging the Disruption of “Single Stories” Through
Children’s Literature
This Ted
Talk doesn’t necessarily talk about Multiliterate learners, however, this
amazing educator talks about how teachers need to connect with students on a
real, person, human level!
Lauren, great post! I completely agree, in order for teachers to develop multiliterate learners, they really need to understand and know their students! Getting to know your students is such an important part of the classroom culture! We definitely need to be accepting and understanding of all our students in order to create a learning environment that is welcoming to all learners. I agree, and it is also so important for teachers to understand how different literacy practices vary among different cultures. You are right, every child does come to school with a "cultural backpack" and as educators, we must be understanding and accepting of this!
ReplyDeleteI love the term "cultural backpack" and I agree that it is often overlooked. I've seen the Rita Pierson clip several times and it still rings true. It's a great segment to watch as any school year begins to remind us all not to take our students at face value. The article you posted reminds me of a disappointing statistic that I heard at a conference about a year ago. Children considered minorities see a higher percentage of animals as characters than they see individuals that look and sound like they do. The website weneeddiversebooks.org does a great job highlighting this need as well as providing a helpful resource for finding books.
ReplyDeleteIt is so important to for students to know and understand their students for them to have a chance to be successful in the classroom. A teacher needs to take the time get to heir know their students to understand their strengths and weaknesses. If a teacher does not take the time needed to understand who a child is then they will not make the growth that they are able to.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Lauren! I completely agree with you. Teachers must take the time to allow each student the opportunity to unpack that "cultural backpack" and base lessons around those assets and experiences students bring to the table by drawing connections between the material being learned and those experiences. I believe it is imperative teachers build bridges between the classroom and community so both the teacher and students can succeed.
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren, I love your term "cultural backpack" as well. Every student no matter what district you are in will come into your classroom with a different "cultural backpack." As future educators it is our job to unpack the backpacks of each student and connect with them in our way. Our classrooms should be a safe, productive and engaging environment in which all students will thrive. I think Anstey and Bull quote is a great point and an important thing to remember, " productive pedagogies include intellectual quality, connectedness, supportive classroom environment, and the recognition of difference."
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren, You mention "being connected" to the students and the classroom. It is so important. That connection means so much to kids and how they learn, That connection make the kids connected to the classroom, the learning, and each other. It makes learning truly meaningful. Great post.
ReplyDeleteLauren, I loved your use of the term "cultural backpack." I think it is so important to recognize and incorporate the cultural diversity of the students in our classrooms. This weekend I attended my fiancé's graduation from New York University Stern School of Business and they discussed diversity in their classrooms and in their professors as some of the reasons why students leave the school so prepared for the world outside of the classroom. They discussed the importance of surrounding yourself with all different types of people helps you think differently and learn from each other more. You need to search out and hire people who do not think like you or have different strengths and areas of improvement in order to make a strong team. I think this is so true in our own classrooms as well. We need to celebrate and embrace our students with the backgrounds that they bring to the classroom and teach them the importance of learning from people who are different than yourself.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Lauren! Taking into account the social and cultural background, or as you put it the “Cultural Backpack” of our students, is crucial to creating a open, inclusive and successful learning environment. Or classrooms are becoming more rich and diverse as the years go on and our approaches to student learning and connection should be just as diverse. As educators we should not be fitting square pegs into round holes, so to speak. Instead it is important to find what is the right fit for each one of our students based on their background and work hard to tailor our pedagogy to that.
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren! I thought your inclusion about community engagement was extremely important and valuable. Not only is it important to take into account each student's differences and diversities when preparing them with the correct tools to be multi-literate, but us as educators should also incorporate our similarities as well, including aspects about community and societal values.
ReplyDeleteLauren, I wrote my blog post on a similar subject and I agree that connectedness should be an essential part of every classroom. A student will not be able to do their best learning unless they feel comfortable and welcomed in the environment. I think it is sometimes easy for teachers to overlook the differences of their students, especially when they do not share the same background. I thought your example of sharing a recent event from their community would be a great way to connect students and teachers.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Lauren! I apologize, I must have missed your post over the weekend!! I think being an intentional teacher is crucial in education today. Each and every student has a cultural, economic, intellectual, and social story that we, as teachers, need to acknowledge and understand. To make meaning in our students lives, we must present examples and generate connections to concepts and ideas that are relatable to students. Being aware of and intentionally planning lessons with students "cultural backpack" in mind will support various needs within the classroom.
ReplyDeleteLauren,
ReplyDeleteI agree! Different literacy practices may differ among different cultures and settings. Like I’ve said before, working in Hartford and now Orange is a completely different setting. Teachers in inner city schools have to understand the child’s life and cultural background before being one-sided to teaching. In order to have a successful classroom, teachers must rearrange their lessons in order to fit their student’s needs. Literacy practices differ with each student and even school district, to make sure we can accommodate this with our students is crucial.
Such a great post Lauren! I believe it is absolutely necessary to include every students culture. This helps the students get to know each other better and being more accepting of one another. This also creates a classroom environment where students are able to feel comfortable within their own cultural background. If teachers are taking the time to include every students culture into a lesson then this will make it easier for students to relate to one another and be fully engaged.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think every classroom environment should strive to be one that is connected, intellectually charged, supportive and celebratory of differences. Sometimes, it is up to the teacher to show students how to treat each other, how to view each other, and how to work together. If your students see you excited about something, then they will feel excited, too! This can absolutely be applied for cultural differences amongst the class population.
ReplyDelete