Week 13: Combating "I Hate This Stupid Book!"
Black Males and Critical Literacy
November 14, 2019
I can remember growing up I did not like to read whatsoever. To begin with I was not a good
reader, all of my peers were ahead of me getting prizes and such. Then there was me being
left behind not getting any extra help of any sort within the school. The elementary school I
went to thinking back did not have much resources but they closed my last year there.
Since I did not get the help that I needed I was enrolled into summer school every year so I
did not flunk the grade I was in. The books I was forced to read I was not interested in and
they did not care at that point since they wanted hear my fluency while reading. Growing up
biracial was difficult for me because it would be rare for me to see people who looked like
me. I believe if I did have books with people that looked like me or a person of color then I
would have picked up more books to read.
In the article I Hate This Stupid Book! by Summer Wood and Robin Jocius, it talks about how black
males are experiencing literacy problems in the classroom. According to The National Assessment of
Educational Progress, African American males in the fourth grade have the second lowest reading
comprehension scale score. There is definitely an achievement gap between black males and their
peers. "All too often, these young boys are
given up on, and attention to their
specific needs and
interests is not taken
into account, which often leads to
wrongful placement in special education
programs (Thomas & Stevenson, 2009)
and teachers focusing on basic skills
because of the desire to
meet minimum
standards requirements." Black students who are struggling whether it is reading or
writing or with both are not getting the extra help they need. The teachers that are teaching them are
not taking that into account but instead being put into programs or just being ignored completely. In
the article is talks about a student by the name of Sean. He struggles with reading and he cannot find
a book that sticks out to him. He is frustrated because all the books look the same but then finds a
book that catches his eye. He goes from "I hate this book" to "That one looks different", "The cover
looks like me". This is an example of why culturally relevant texts are important in schools because
they can not only have something to relate to but the text will also have familiar elements as well.
If students had books that they could relate to then they are most likely to read the book and enjoy
what they are reading. The article concludes with the importance of letting students collaborate with
other students when reading so they can get comfortable and understand their peers better. "Critical
conversations are not merely
book discussions in which plot, theme,
and facts are being reiterated by
group
members. Rather, these are discussions
in which students take positions and
critique what is
being said, who is saying
it, how characters are positioned, whose
voices are being heard, and how
they
may personally fit into the text. Students
shift from being mere receptors of
textual information
to collaborators with
the text in an effort to make meaning"(Rosenblatt, 1968).
Questions
1.) Why do you think it is important to use culturally relevant texts in the classroom?
2.) How would you approach a student who is struggling to read?
3.) Was there ever a time where you felt you could not relate to the texts you were reading in school?
4.) Did you read any critical texts growing up? If not which critical text did you like during field?
In regards to your question one, "Why do you think it is important to use culturally relevant texts in the classroom?", it would gain the interest of students more. I remember reading books that I did not relate to in school, and struggled to do my homework. Then, when I was reading a book I enjoyed I would finish it as fast as i can. A big problem schools face today is that they do not have enough books for students who are minorities. I know that when I was in elementary school I loved when I found a book where the character looked like me. It is only fair for every student to get that same chance, and to be able to connect with a book.
ReplyDeleteI remember not having a character that looked like me but also not relating to me on a personal level as well. Its unfortunate that schools do not have a enough books for students who are minorities.
DeleteThere is not one culturally relevant book I remember from when I was growing up, but I loved reading so I didn't care what the characters looked like, if it was a genre I enjoyed, I read it. I know for a lot of students, this isn't always a good thing since they need to read something relatable. Which is where the importance of incorporating culturally relevant texts in the classroom comes in, making reading more interesting for your students will help engage even those struggling readers. It'll provide some motivation for diverse students as well as get others with different backgrounds interested to learn about their peers as mentioned in the article.
ReplyDeleteWith answering question #1, I believe it’s important to use culturally relevant text within the classroom because just like Sean in “I Hate This Stupid Book” it changes their mindset on reading. When Sean found a book that related to him based on his cultural background he went from “I hate this book” to “that one looks different”, this shows how seeing yourself within the book changes how you view reading. Now Sean is encouraged to read because it may be something else in that book that relates to him than just the cover looking like him. I think that when students that are struggling with reading are presented with a book that is culturally relevant it can motivate them to read because of how it can possibly relate to their lives. It’s showing them that what they go through matters.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that culturally relevant books can not only motivate them to read but also relate to their own personal life. When I have my own classroom I will definitely make sure to have a variety of culturally relevant books they have a lot of options.
DeleteTo answer your second question. I would first sit and read with them and see where their reading level is at, this one I could get a better understanding of what they are struggling with. Next I would ask them what they liked to do for fun, at home, when they aren't in school, this way I could find a book about what ever they are passionate about and I am learning a little bit more about them. I would try and find a book about something that they enjoy and see if it helps them improve their reading or just enjoy it more and want to try harder on wanting to get better at it.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great approach when I was younger the tutor that helped me get better with reading did not try to find out what I was interested in I was just given random texts so I think that would be very beneficial to discover their interests then pick out a book based on that.
DeleteIt's important to use critically relevant texts in the classroom because it interests all of the students in the class, not just a specific group. If children are forced to read books they can't relate with, then they will be disinterested in learning how to read. We have to create a learning environment that is relevant to each individual student, so they will become curious about learning how to read and engaging.
ReplyDeleteIf I were working with a student who struggled with reading, I would focus on what they do know and not just what they don't. Then, I would figure out where they struggle with and help. I would get to know the student on a personal level so I would be able to pick books that they would enjoy.
I think it is important to use culturally relevant books in the classroom because it allows the students to feel more connected to their learning. Students are more likely to be engaged and interested when reading about a topic they enjoy or can connect to. Students will learn better and retain more information if they are engaged and enjoying what they are reading. I don't remember ever reading any critical text stories when I was in elementary school, but the story I've really enjoyed during field is called Amazing Grace. It is about a black girl named Grace who wants to be Peter Pan in the school play, but two kids in her class tell her she can't because she's a girl and she's black, but in the end she is Peter Pan and everyone loves her acting.
ReplyDeleteKirsten,
DeleteI completely agree! I believe if I was read more books that I related to, I feel like I would enjoy reading a lot more than I do. Now in college I am reading a lot of critical text book and I find it more easier and more engaging for me to read. Like I had said in my response, I don't remember getting read critical textbook at all, but I feel like it would've been very beneficial to do so with me being the only Hispanic person in the class.
To answer question one, I think it is important to have culturally relevant texts in the classroom because every students need to feel like they are part of the classroom. Teachers need to make sure that the texts they are providing to their students deal with situations the students might be going through in that time in their life. Having culturally relevant texts can help with this, children need to be able to see themselves in their classroom, not just one race.
ReplyDeleteI like when you said "apart of the classroom", in order for students to not only feel motivated with reading but for them to feel apart of the class instead of being alienated. I agree with teachers need to provide their students with situations they could be dealing with.
DeleteTo answer question number four, I do not remember reading any culturally relevant/ critical texts in elementary school but that really was not a problem because I just loved reading, especially mystery and adventure books. Then when I went into middle school, I remember finding an author I loved who wrote critical texts. I wish I could remember the name of the author but her books pulled me into reading in a whole different way because I felt a connection to a lot of the characters which I never really had before.
ReplyDelete- Deja Shelton
To answer your question one, it is important to have culturally relevant texts in the classroom because this makes a space of belonging. In relation to your situation in elementary school, a student might feel left out or neglected in school because no one looks like that student. If there were culturally diverse books in the classroom library, that student would 100% feel better about themselves in that space. This boosts their confidence & lets them know that they are accepted and welcomed into that classroom!
ReplyDeleteWas there ever a time where you felt you could not relate to the texts you were reading in school?:
ReplyDeleteThis is probably going to be the opposite of most everyone else's views because I feel like most of our teachers were not very good at bringing culture into the classroom. At the very least, one of my teachers did a very good job bringing culture into the classroom. I remember reading a lot of stories about Mexican-Americans and Spanish speaking characters. At the time (I think it was maybe second or fourth grade) I was really annoyed because I didn't really relate to the characters. Now I look back into it and really appreciate what that teacher was trying to do, but I also kind of want to kick myself for not making the connections that my classmates probably really related to those stories if we were reading so many. It really makes you see the other side of the perspective if you are a majority ethnicity because there have always been books about characters who look like me, but there aren't always books about characters that look like them for other people.
I want to answer your question, Why do you think it is important to use culturally relevant texts in the classroom? It's important to use culturally relevant texts because it helps students feel like they're valued and that they're important and their representation is important. It can also lead students to have better academic achievement and teach students to have cultural competence. This can also bridge into lessons that help students understand other cultures and widen their view as well. I also want to answer another one of your questions, Was there ever a time where you felt you could not relate to the texts you were reading in school? Majority of all my years in education I could not relate unless we were talking about Islam in my history class and the background behind it. I was never read cultural books were it talked about anyone related to myself so I never got that.
ReplyDeleteTo answer question one, "Why do you think it is important to use culturally relevant texts in the classroom?", I believe it is important to use culturally relevant texts in the classroom so that all students feel included and can have something that is connected to them. To answer question three, "Was there ever a time where you felt you could not relate to the texts you were reading in school?", yes I remember not liking to read in elementary and middle school because I could not find books in my classrooms or the school library that I felt connected to or interested in. If there would have been books about Mexican culture or things I was interested in the time I believe I would have liked reading much more than I did.
ReplyDeleteTo answer question two, How would you approach a student who is struggling to read? I believe every student reads at different speeds. To began to know where my students are with their reading level abilities I would sit with them on one on one and let them read a book that I think they can read. I would take note and help the students if he or she is struggling. I would switch out the books depending on if he or she needs an easy read or a higher-level read. Some ways I can approach a student that’s struggling in reading would be to ask them questions while their reading, helps them make connections, help them use context clues, and have a set reading goal. Students will also show growth if we motivate them and reward them when they succeed in reading. I can also supply at-home resources for parents to work with them.
ReplyDeleteThe school that I work at has a reading program that’s called RTI. This is when teachers aids pull struggling students out and they practice reading small books and words. I have helped a student with their RTI homework before and by the middle of the semester they are so amazing at reading. I would hope that there is something like this in the school that I teach at in the future. I believe this helps them tremendously.
ReplyDeleteI approach kids who are struggling with reading by reminding them it is okay to take your time and sound things out. I often go word by word then reread or say the whole sentence after looking at each word individually. Personally I like to wear by using my finger to point and "cross out" the words as I am reading.
ReplyDeleteA critical text I read growing up was called the house on mango street. I read it in high school. Before high school I can not recall reading a specific critical text.
DeleteTo respond to your first question I think its important to have culturally relevant text in the classroom because it enhances a students interest in reading and getting to know other cultural backgrounds including their own. Children can be able to reflect on the world through the lens of diversity. I remember in third grade during the time of black history month, my teacher had given us a few books that related either the Underground Railroad or the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s. The book that I read was called "A Song For Harlem: Scraps of Time 1928". It was about a girl from Tennessee who moves to Harlem and is instructed in a summer program from the writer Zora Neale Hurston. I thought it was interesting to see the different aspects of that era. It included forms of poetry, music, dance and of course writing. This book helped me see another side of black history that I hadn't heard or seen before. I think that's what culturally relevant books can do is to open new worlds to students . It also allows them to be able to make new ideas and ask more questions based off of the concept of the text.
ReplyDeleteI agree with that to have culturally relevant texts in the classroom can teach the other students about others cultural background. "Children can be able to reflect on the world through the lens of diversity". That is a good point because students who do not read culturally relevant texts then start to read can start to reflect on the world through a lens of diversity.
DeleteTo give an answer for question 3, I feel like I never read books that I was able to relate to. In elementary school I felt apart from everyone else because I was the only Hispanic in my class. In a way I feel like my teacher didn't read stories I was able to relate to because there was only one of me and I was out numbered in my class. Growing up I wasn't always the best reader, I never liked it. A way I would approach a student struggling to read would be finding out exactly where they are at in reading. I will start off with a book in their level, but also that book being a critical text as well, something the student can relate you. It will keep them engaged with the text given.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to have culturally relevant text in the classroom because it can relate to many different students. If there is culturally relevant text, the students can feel more comfortable in the classroom and not be afraid to talk about their background or cultural. It also will make students want to participate more because they know that they can talk about their culture and where they come from. When I was in school, I don't remember teachers bringing in cultural text or being culturally relevant but if they would have been then maybe classes would have ran smoother.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to use culturally relevant context in the classroom so that students feel that they belong. Cultural differences often cause teachers to misunderstand students, so it is important that teachers be aware of these differences to better assess student behavior and learning patterns. In regards to approaching a student that is struggling to read, teachers could pair students and have a student at a more advanced level help others that are not understanding the material as well. Rewarding students for their work by giving them stickers, pencils, erasers with fun shapes etc. opposed to candy is another way to motivate students and encourage them through their progress of learning to read. While candy can motivate students and give them more of an interest, a lot of students begin to rely on it and refuse to do their work without getting it. So, receiving something that they can use in the classroom could be more beneficial and making sure they don’t always expect a particular reward.
ReplyDelete