My Definition of Literacy - Becky

Literacy is more than simply being able to read. Literacy is understanding the concepts of print and how written letters correspond to particular sounds. It is understanding that letters combine to form words, words combine to form sentences, and so on. It is understanding that these words and sentences hold a particular meaning and being able to convey that meaning after reading text.

Literacy is also more than being able to write. It is successfully forming letters, combining those in different ways to make words, words into sentences, and so on. It is being able to form complete thoughts in written form and using writing to accomplish particular goals.


I am constantly seeing literacy in my field placement. As kindergarteners, the majority of the students are in the beginning stages of reading and writing. They understand that letters stand for sounds and are (mostly) able to match those sounds to the corresponding letters and vice versa. The highest level readers can read short books and even tell me the meaning of what they read. We are constantly reading books to the class to expose them to different genres and showing them how words correspond to pictures.

The different reading groups do various tasks when they have time with the teacher. The lowest group works on writing their names and other letters that the teacher knows they are struggling with. They discuss what sounds each of these letters make, also. The middle groups make guesses as to what the story will be about after looking at all the pictures. Then, they read the story with the teacher focusing on one word at a time. The highest group is usually able to read the book after one run-through with the teacher, and they focus on pointing to the word that they are reading to show that each word represents one thing and they are separated by spaces. Each level focuses on how books work, including reading left to right, where the front and the back of the book is, etc.

In my ideal literacy learning environment, I will give my students time to choose books that they are interested in, not only required texts. Instead of book reports, I want to let them choose creative projects to tell the rest of the class about the book they read. It will still involve writing, but will include oral reading and technology, if they choose. By allowing them to have more control over their learning (especially literacy) I hope that they will hold more interest in the assignment. I also hope that by being able to be creative, they will hold more pride in the work they produce.