Literacy in all its formslit·er·a·cynoun 1. the quality or state of being literate, especially the ability to read and write. 2. possession of education: to question someone's literacy. 3. a person's knowledge of a particular subject or field: to acquire computer literacy
Quantitative literacy
A person is considered to be literate when they can read at a certain level (i.e., 6th grade.)
Measured by a standardized test
Functional literacy
A person is considered literate when they can function within a predetermined context.
Context might include socioeconomics, race, gender, etc.
Humanistic Literacy
A person is literate when they become politicized. They are able to manipulate language to assert a self-identity.
Based on the work of Paulo Freire.
“Pedagogy of the Oppressed,” 1968
What types of literacy affect social studies teachers?
Traditional literacy – reading and writing Media literacy Computer literacy
http://www.ala.org/The American Library Association
Encourage reading in the social studies classroom
Assign books to go along with the material Reading aloud strategies – popcorn, reader’s theater Graphic Organizers Guided notes Textbook reading strategies
The History of Literacy
Cuneiform The minstrel – worked in a singing capacity
– ballads Literacy barriers for voting, signing
contracts
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/voting_literacy.html
vids
http://www.ted.com/talks/natalie_merchant_sings_old_poems_to_life.html
21st century literacy (8 min.)