Blog Post #2

Blog #2

As I have previously stated, reading has never been something that I have really enjoyed. Instead, I have always been one to learn methods and enjoy applying them to problems. This explains why I enjoy working in Math. In the article, “Popular Culture Texts,” Hall makes some points early in the article that I could relate to. Hall explains that part of literacy requires complete comprehension of what you are reading.

“Doing so requires more than memorizing facts, defining vocabulary words, and answering a set of questions at the end of a chapter.”

When I read growing up, this is the kind of thing I could relate to. I wanted to be given something with a task to do from what I read and then be done. Instead Hall identifies tasks that must be done during comprehension as:

a.     Identifying Main Ideas

b.     Evaluating Evidence

c.      Understanding and Assessing the sources the information is based on

Yuck! What kid learning the importance of reading actually thinks that sounds like fun? NOT ME!

But as we go on through the article, Hall shows how students in schools will use pop culture texts in the classroom to help explain their thoughts with social studies texts. I thought this was really cool and something that I definitely never did but think it would have been helpful. If the students can make connections between something they have read at home and their social studies text that helps them to understand the main points and comprehend the information then more power to them! This adds a little fun to the discussions and would help most people to make that connection if it is brought to attention in class. In my opinion, anything that is reasonable that a student brings into their learning that helps them comprehend information and make connections is awesome and if something from a pop culture book helps them to understand a piece of history better then not allowing them to use that in their discussion is hindering their learning.

The “Watch and Learn” article was the most interesting of all of the articles in my opinion. I had never really thought of subtitles as a way of learning to read even though I can connect with that through previous Spanish classes. We would often watch movies that we were familiar with in English but the language and subtitles would be set to Spanish in an effort to help us become better Spanish speakers and readers.

I think this is a great idea in the early grades because it allows students to become more confident readers but even more importantly in my opinion, it puts reading in a context of something fun. Most young students see reading as just a boring task that takes time and keeps them from doing something they like. However if you put reading into something such as watching a movie with only subtitles, you allow that kid to do something they like to do while also having to read. I think this a great way to encourage reading and improve their literacy because it isn’t going to put a bad taste in their mind of what reading involves. 

Hall, Leigh A. (2011). How Popular Culture Texts Inform and Shape Students’ Discussions of Social Studies Texts. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy,55(4), 296-305.

Shah, R. Watch and learn - The Boston Globe. Boston.com - Boston, MA news, breaking news, sports, video. January 22, 2012, http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/09/19/watch_and_learn/?page=full