Introduction

Throughout the next five weeks we will investigate the concept of literacy. You will begin by exploring your earliest memories of learning how to read and write.This will be used as a basis for expanding our concepts of literacy in today's society. We will conclude with an action research project. 

You will develop a literacy autobiography based on your earliest  recollections of learning to read and write. During class, we will engage in small group discussions to facilitate this process. You may want to interview your parents or others who were important to this process.
 

We will provide readings (you will also be expected to locate additional readings) for class discussions. These will serve as a foundation for expanding the concept of literacy.

Action Research Project - You will be expected to interview an individual about their use of literacy in their adult life. 

Activity One Literacy Autobiography 

During small group discussion in class:

• Reflect on your earliest memories about learning to read and write (home, family, community, church)
• Describe your formal beginning reading instruction (phonics instruction, reading groups, oral reading)
• Discuss your current reading habits: How much do you read? What do you read? When do you read? Where do you read?

Interview your parents or others who were significant in your development as a reader/writer. Here are some questions to get you started, but don't limit yourself to these:

Did they read to you? What did they read? When and how often?

How old were you when you began learning to read and write?

What are their favorite memories?

Write a brief (3 to 5 pages, word processed, double spaced, 12 point font) literacy autobiography. You must develop an outline of this paper, which will be turned in with the paper. This should be a creative endeavor. Below are some suggestions of possible topics to address:

What was most helpful in learning to read and write? 

What made learning to read difficult?

Who were key individuals in your development as a reader and writer?

How have your reading and writing habits changed over time?

How has reading and writing affected your life?

How will your current insights about your reading and writing inform your teaching?

Consult Rubric

Due September 16th

Below is a list of articles pertaining to different notions of literacy. You must pick two of the readings to use as well as locate an additional resource (web site or research based article). 

The Importance of Recognizing the Expanding Boundaries of Literacy by Charles Kinzer

Talking About Visual Texts With Students by Jon Callow

Taking a Position on Integrating Literacy and Technology in the Curriculum by Bridget Dalton and Dana L. Grisham 
Integrating literacy and technology across the curriculum
(IRA position statement)

Song Lyrics as Texts to Develop Critical Literacy 
by Carol V. Lloyd

Public Television Promotes Early Literacy 
by Dorothy S. Strickland and Linda K. Rath

Visual Education by Paul Messaris

Taking a Broad View of Literacy: Lessons From the Appalachian Trail Thru-hiking Community by Leslie S. Rush

In addition you must also find an additional resource (web site or research based article) to assist you in this activity. After you have read and located your extra resource you must write a one page (word processed, double spaced, 12 point font) definition of literacy. You will be responsible for these articles in small and large class discussions.

Additional On-line Resources:

• National Center for ESL Literacy
• International Reading Association
• Literacy.org
• National Assessment of Educational Progress (National Center for Educational Statistics)
• Multiple Literacies associated with Information Literacy

Consult Rubric

Due September 23rd

Activity Three Action Research Project 
 

Utilizing your Literacy Autobiography, any readings, classroom activities as well as your Definition of Literacy, you will construct an Action Research Project demonstrating your understandings of literacy.

Choose a person to interview. You must obtain informed consent from your interviewee (Click here for an informed consent form)
 

• This person should be of some interest to you but may not be another student or significant other. 
• Secure their permission in writing. Informed consent form (link)
• You may interview by phone, in person, via e-mail, or video conference. If you interview by phone or in person, we recommend that you audiotape the interview.

Develop an interview protocol. The purpose of the protocol is to provide a starting place for the interview. You should not feel limited by your questions; you should let the interview unfold. Typically you should expect the interview to last about 30 minutes. Below are examples of questions that you may use but you should develop your own set of questions before the interview begins. Your interview protocol will be turned in with the paper.

• During a typical day, what do you read for pleasure (newspapers, magazines, books, etc)? Write?
• During a typical day, what do you read that is work-related ( memos, faxes, e-mails)? Write?
• Has this changed over time and in what ways?
• During a typical day, what forms of communication do you use?
• What are your most important sources of information? Why?
• Do you use a library regularly?
• How well do you think you read? Write? Why?
• (If a parent) What have you done to help your children read? Write?

Write a 5-7 page (word processed, double spaced, 12 point font) biographical essay focusing on the role of literacy in the life of your interviewee. 

Consult Rubric

Due September 30th

Below is a description for how each activity will be evaluated. You are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with your instructor to discuss any assignments you may have questions about. Please be sure to read through your returned work for your instructor's comments as well. All assignments must be turned in on time. Late work is not accepted. All that is needed is a cover page with the title of the paper,
type of assignment, date, your name, and stapled on the top-left-hand-corner. Here is a link that will take you to the APA guidelines.

Activity One Literacy Autobiography	Beginning	Developing	Accomplished	Score Total 30
Content	Provides basic description of learning to read;shows some insight into the process of learning to read; some elaboration and support for main ideas.	Provides an insightful description of learning to read;shows reasonable insight into the process of learning to read; elaborates and supports main ideas.	Provides a deep reflection and shows substantial insight into the process of learning to read. Points are made explicit with details.
Scoring Continuum	0		15
Writer's Craft Creativity, Flow, Organization, Transitions	Loose organization: tangential information; lacks introduction and/or conclusion; unfocused	Hard to follow in some places; some reorganization would enhance readability of the paper; lacks transitions.	Smooth flow of ideas, paper is cohesive: includes introduction, conclusion, transitions, headings and subheadings.
Scoring Continuum	0		10
Mechanics Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, APA	Faulty punctuation; misspellings; sentence fragments and other mechanical errors, which detract from the content.	Some grammatical, puncutation and APA errors.	Appropriate punctuation, sentence and paragraph formation; appropriate use of APA style for references.
Scoring Continuum	0		5

When you have completed the activities in this Webquest, you should have a much richer and more useful understanding of the concept "literacy." You should have reflected on your journey as a reader and writer, and be able to apply your reflections to your future career as an educator. You should also have insight into the role that literacy plays in your life and in the life of others. It is important at this stage of your development as a teacher to think carefully about what your professional responsibilities are in relation to helping your students become more literate.

We greatfully acknowledge the International Reading Association's web-based journal Reading Online for articles linked to this Webquest.