Homework for Block 2

• Be sure to complete the draft of your literacy history.
• The five vignettes should be hand-written, double spaced and titled.
• Have a nice weekend!

Your Literacy History

 

 

What is literacy?

 

It’s more than just reading and writing!  What does it mean to be a literate person?

 

For our purposes, literacy is:

 

·        A set of skills, behaviors, attitudes and dispositions demonstrated by people who function successfully in a field.  These skills allow people to feel comfortable and confident as they function in an educated group.

 

 

What do you think reading / writing literacy is?

 

Do you remember defining moments that shaped your reading and writing literacy?

 

Do you like writing and reading?  Do you avoid reading or writing at all costs?  When was the first time you wrote or read something you loved?  Did you write or read because you wanted to, or did someone make you write?  What kind of feedback did your parents/ teachers/ friends give you on your writing or reading?

 

On the back of this sheet of paper is your literacy timeline.  Brainstorm moments in your life that most stick out as having shaped your views on writing.

 

Assignment:  Pick any five of these moments that you feel best represent your life as a writer (or non-writer, as the case may be!).  Write at least six sentences per memory relaying that experience to your reader.  How old were you?  How did you feel?  You may use my example to guide you in terms of format, content, etc.  REMEMBER TO CONSIDER YOUR VOICE AS A WRITER!  I want to hear you in your writing.

 

This assignment MUST be typed, 12 pt standard font, STAPLED!

 

Your assignment is due next class!  Printer broken?  E-mail: mforster@niskyschools.org

 

 

M. Forster

My Literacy History

 

 

Memory: 5 years old

I’m in trouble.  I’ve been sent to my room and told not to come out.  I can’t recollect what I did to land myself there, but it must have been bad.  Sitting there, in solitary confinement, I don’t quite know what to do with myself.  I must remove myself from this dreadful situation immediately, but how?  I find an old Steno notebook in my toy box and begin to construct my plea for freedom.  I write an apology note to my mother, begging her to forgive me for what I had done.  I offered her the alternative of “forgetting about me” if she wanted to.  My brother Travis having just been born, I also told her I hoped she “had a nice baby” (the implication that I may never see any of them again because of my imprisonment).  I folded it up like a letter, addressed it to my mother, and shoved it under my bedroom door where it skimmed down the hallway. 

Within moments I was released from my shackles and permitted to rejoin humanity.  The power of writing astounded me, and I kept it as a tool, in reserve.

 

Memory: 8 years old

 

I excel at penmanship.  I practice D’Nilean handwriting in my workbork.  I like its curly letters and graceful turns.  I hold the pencil tightly and stare intently at the guidelines on the paper, making sure all of my arches and tails fall exactly where they should.  This seems to be the sign of a good writer.  Row after row of scripty m’s proved I had the gift.