Critical Literacy “Critical literacy has opened up a new level of understanding to my students and to me. In the past, we were very focused on comprehension, but now it is that and more. It’s as if comprehension used to be our ultimate goal, but now it’s the point at which we begin our critical discussions.” Critical Literacy: Enhancing Students’ Comprehension of Text by McLaughlin and DeVoogd (Scholastic)

What is Critical Literacy? Readers actively engage with the text to question, examine or dispute the message created by the author. It focuses on issues of power and promotes change and action. (adapted Freire, 1970)

Principles of Critical Literacy Critical literacy focuses on issues of power and promotes reflection, transformation and action. Critical literacy focuses on the problem and its complexity. Critical literacy strategies are dynamic and adapt to the contexts in which they are used.

Principles of Critical Literacy Critical literacy disrupts the commonplace by examining it from multiple perspectives. (McLaughlin and DeVoogd, 2004)

Teaching with a Critical Edge very powerful for students encourages readers to explore alternative perspectives and take action expands students’ thinking and enlightens their perceptions

The Power of Critical Literacy

Student: Bou Thao (ESL) “ This story is about a group of sailors, who are very creative. They know how to dance and tell stories. The author is trying to make me think watching television is bad and it will make you not smart anymore. People who watch educational channels are missing.” (Critical Literacy: Enhancing Students’ Comprehension of Text, p. 84)

The Power of Critical Literacy Student: Ricky “The book entitled The Wretched Stone is trying to imply that all books make you active and TV will turn you into a non-thinking animal. What about Sesame Street? And how about books on how to make bombs and stuff? Not all books are good and not all TV is bad. The author refuses to realize the truth about life. TV and entertainment isn’t bad, it’s how you use it.” (Critical Literacy: Enhancing Students’ Comprehension of Text, p. 85)

Video-clip: Critical Literacy

Principles of Critical Literacy Read-aloud Activity  Mr. Peabody’s Apples  Discussion of 4 Principles of Critical Literacy (refer to your handout: problem posing questions)

Debriefing the Read-aloud “Matching text to audience is an artistic skill honed through practice.” (Booth, 2004)

Debriefing the Read-aloud Resource selection is an essential part of effective literacy instruction. Texts need to be carefully selected to: - engage students; - provide opportunities for shared literary experiences and understandings.

Debriefing the Read-aloud Students need to hear and read a wide range of materials to connect school and life literacies. Both fiction and non-fiction are important. Creating a Class Reading Log allows students to make connections between text and characters.