I picked up the drivers manual book and found it extremely difficult.
It is a procedural text, it’s technical, the vocabulary is incredibly advanced, it’s sophisticate and is at times, inconsiderate writing. It is not organized and it’s a thick book.
My son recently began preparing for driving by reading this text. On his own, he got a team of kids together. Created a study group, created methodologies, employed advanced skill sets, devices, and techniques to get that content without any of my help. Do you know why? Because of the urgency, and gravity and privilege — the life-changing implications of what it means to be a driver in the world.
He was willing to do the most minuscule task and the most boring work and the most repetitive actions. Because the privilege and the responsibility and the excitement and possibility of what it means to be a part of the driving club is so grand that he will do anything.
(Note: Though this might be the only time I would have been okay with his flunking a test, he passed — with flying colors — on his first attempt. Proud of you, little man. I love you!)
I think that we are missing a lot of opportunity to set up what a privilege it is and how your life will change if you’re a member of the literacy club.
Reading infiltrates peoples’ lives, they can’t get food without it they can’t fill out a bill they cannot connect with people they love and they can’t get information to help in their lives. For important purposes and even trivial purposes. Life is less enjoyable if one can’t read.
I believe that we must speak of literacy with that sense of urgency and gravity.
Are we, in and out of our own classrooms, creating real readers with real life meaning?
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