5 Essential Components of Literacy

Reading- this component of ELA standards includes the ability to read texts, comprehend what is being read, and make connections to the text according to the appropriate grade level. The language arts teacher is primarily responsible for teaching phonics skills and working with fluency and accuracy in reading as well as comprehension skills. However, teachers of all disciplines should incorporate reading assignments and should work with students to make connections between the text and the material learned and encourage fluency, accuracy and comprehension.

Writing- this component of ELA standards requires that students learn the skills to effectively write texts of different forms. The main goal of this standard is to have students be able to analyze a text or a subject matter and write a paper accordingly. This standard is one which is the responsibility of teachers of all disciplines to share. In every subject, students can be given connected reading material and be assigned writing based on the texts or on the material learned in the classroom.

Speaking- students need to learn how to properly speak fluently, in proper English. Students should learn skills for speaking in public which is something they may need in real life. This standard can be practiced in classes of all subjects.

Listening- students need to be able to listen to spoken English, follow what is being said, understand the content and be able to analyze, ask or answer questions on the spoken material. This standard is naturally a part of every class, and should be recognized as a standard by the teacher in order to strengthen the skill.

Language- this standard accounts for the effective use of the English language, its proper grammer, pronunciation, stress and vocabulary. The grammer aspect of this standard would primarily be implemented by the ELA instructor, but the vocabulary aspect should be included in instruction of all subjects.

Interview with ELA Instructor

What are some technologies used in literacy instruction?

Smartboards offer opportunities to use the most updated reading programs in a visual way and participate. Technology helps learners tap into different learners' modalities, for example audio or visual tools in instruction in literacy.

Any specific examples of how you use technology in literacy instruction?

Literature instructor can use the internet to build units to find information, text to tet, text to world in context of the content being taught and the reading material can be built into a unit with other informative texts and connections.

Do you experience any specific challenges in implementing technology into literacy instruction?

Some of the challenges we experiences is that of the lack of technology familiarity on the part of the teachers, as well as schools not being able to afford to have technology in the classrooms the way it would be used best. Another challenge in our community is sensitivity to cultures which are wary of technology in children's instruction.

What is one technology usage that you do not use that you think would make a difference in literacy instruction? Why don't you use it?

Because of the limitations mentioned above, the teachers are the ones who use the technology to prepare all the material and connections. If students would have access to internet, we would be able to conduct student-centered learning in which students would actually do the research themselves, make connections between text, real life, other texts and experiences. When students are the ones conducting the work, it leads to greater understanding and deeper connection to the lessons.

Common Core

The Common Core sets common goals and expectations of material and skills that students should be learning in each grade level. The purpose of this is to ensure that all students reach a certain level of education and maintain standards. Additionally, students across the board, no matter which state they live in are kept up to similar learning levels. Common core standards also help teachers of different grade levels within the school system work together and prepare their curriculum according to the long term goals set for the students. Standards also take into consideration the big picture of what we want our students to know and what they should be able to do at the end of their formal education (K-12).The standards are geared to have students gain the knowledge andskills that they will use in real life, in higher education and in careers later on. This system therefore is able to provide teachers with a clear breakdown of how to cover the material and skills necessary for these goals.