I have to be honest that I was a little confused about what all adolescent literacy entailed when discussing it during today's opening class. I thought that I knew what it meant; however, I have learned just through the opening chapter of this book that it encompasses much more than I had ever expected.
I agree with Kylene Beers perspectives on the issues of adolescent literacy that all of us as teachers face in our classrooms. While reading her article "The Measure of Our Success", I discovered answers to many of the questions that I have asked myself about high school students living in today's society. I was intrigued with the stories of Derek and Collin. I was able to relate their experiences to those of my own when I was a high school student. During last semester at my secondary student teaching placement, I had many students just like these two individuals in my classroom. I was able to capture their interests by incorporating what inspired them to create art into their various Media Arts assignments. If a student is passionate about a topic or concept they will push themselves to try, leading them to success. Students want us to understand them and respect their interests...they just want their voice to be heard. In schools today, I can see where students get frustrated with what they are being asked ("required") to learn, mostly memorize and then regurgitate back on numerous tests that are MEANINGLESS to them. What can each of us do to encourage our students' interests in the subject area in which we teach?
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Maria, I aggree with what you are saying. I can relate to the students (Derek and Collin) who were talked about in the book. I had students that were considered bad students by the teacher I was under. I talked to them and wrote comments on their rubrics and for me they were excellent after they knew I cared. Good observation
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