(Internship) D.R.E.A.M Literacy: Enhancing the Literacy Experience for Di

Relevance

-Students want to feel like they are included and are represented in a learning environment.

-Literacy learning, and traditional academic English can be a subject area that is intimidating to students, and many students struggle with code switching or second language learning.

Key Research: Frymier & Schulman, 1995; Martin & Dowson, 2009) APA/Psychological studies

Engagement

Diversity

Students struggle with ELAR Concepts and how they apply to their lives.

How does it apply? How will you make ELAR content relevant despite high-stakes testing?

1) Sharing/providing engaging texts and unique prompts to WRITE about (Student led prompts, non-traditional texts)

2) Engagement WHILE reading (Using strategies that are purposeful)

3) We must understand what students value, what they lack, and find ability to implement strategies to reach the diverse learning needs of students (Childs, Changing the Language, TALE Yearbook, 2018).

Google: Students and Access to Literacy

Access

"In his decision on Friday dismissing the suit, Judge Stephen J. Murphy III said that “access to literacy” — which he also referred to as a “minimally adequate education” (in Detroit) — was not a fundamental right."

‘Access to Literacy’ Is Not a Constitutional Right, Judge in Detroit Rules, NY Times, July 4, 2018

Ease of access to resources and insight on how to continue students' learning outside of the classroom doors is crucial.

How do you engage students

in literacy learning?

Ways to Make Literacy Relevant...

Build respect. Build a culture for learning. Make

expectations clear as to how you can work as partners

with parents.

Establish a communication Plan (social media, apps,

share HOW to reach out to teachers)

Provide clarity on student learning goals for the week,

month, 6 or 9 weeks, year. (Parent friendly plan)

Meet with parents BEYOND required parent/teacher conferences

Quality & Availability

For ALL

1) Truly KNOW your audience--Academically and Socially (Do you really know what interests your students?)

2) We must connect academic language to popular culture. Literacy Skills that are used daily on Social Media & Social Settings (Change the Language)

3) Share the value of literacy skills and instill

a love to explore and learn new skills!

Motivation

Our role is to grow our students’ skills

and find what makes them excited

to learn.

Educators must have the willingness to learn, accept, and apply the culture of students to instructional practice.

Diversity and culture does not simply mean different races. It entails so many different things:

- Languages spoken

- Gender/Gender Equity

-Environment (home, region, neighborhood)

-Resources (textbooks, tradebooks, texts, lessons, subjects)

-Views (Cultural beliefs)

Discussions

Choice

Value

Post-Activity

1. In your table groups, discuss and write down questions or concerns for your future classrooms that relate to the components in the “D.R.E.A.M.” acronym (Diversity, Relevance, Engagement, Access, Motivation)

2. Write at least two or more of your questions your questions on the posters on the wall. (Be prepared to share your questions)

3. Read the article at your table, and independently complete the graphic organizer provided.

“ONE CHILD, ONE TEACHER, ONE BOOK, ONE PEN CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.”

-MALALA YOUSAFZAI

Let’s connect as a literacy community...

1) Join the D.R.E.A.M. Online Forum:

http://dreamliteracy.boardhost.com

2) Visit drkchilds.com to find out additional plans

for D.R.E.A.M. (Web Series, Article, Curriculum)

OTHERS???

According to a study by the Cooperative Children's Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2016), about 22% of their books were about people of color, and the books written or illustrated by authors of color made up about 12% of their inventory.

Share on Twitter and social media

what you learned using the

hashtag: #DREAMLiteracy

20 years ago... the number was 9%

What is D.R.E.A.M.?

Diversity

Relevance

Engagement

Access

Motivation

It Was All A Dream…

It was all a dream… I used to read newspapers and magazines.

Riding to school across town on a big yellow limousine.

Hanging pictures of singers on my wall

Every school day, making treks, learn quick, run track,

Never thought that one day I’d make it this far,

Now I’m in the limelight, trying to teach your mind right,

Not trying to get paid, just showing others how I’m made.

Born as an only, first-gen, put here to inspire…

Didn’t know it would take everything in me to make it higher.

-Dr. K. Childs (2019), Inspired by the lyrics to "Juicy" by Christopher Wallace aka The Notorious BIG

What does this poem/rap reveal about my identity?

D.R.E.A.M. Literacy: Enhancing the Literacy Experience for Diverse Populations

-Assistant Professor- Curriculum & Instruction-Reading,

College of Education and Human Services, Texas A & M University- Commerce

-Online Teaching Assistant & University Supervisor, Kansas State University

16 years in Education

-6 years in Higher Education

-5th grade ELAR, ESL (8 years, 3 years Self-Contained)

-6th grade ELAR & Social Studies (3 years)

Research: Literacy, Reading engagement, Student Motivation, Reading

and Writing Strategies, Parent and Community Involvement

Respond to this presentation in

real-time. Find me on social media at:

Twitter: doctorkchilds

Facebook: doctorkchilds

Instagram: doctorkchilds

by Dr. Kamshia Childs, Texas A & M University-Commerce