I remember Dr. Vasquez mentioning in our first meeting how we will start to look at the world differently once we become more conscious of what critical literacy is. It wasn't until I started reading Negotiating Critical Literacies with Young Children did I finally start noticing the hidden messages in everyday life. I find myself asking who is behind this message? What is the purpose?
For instance, I was shopping in Target yesterday and I was bombarded by Valentine's Day advertisement. I walked through the aisle of Valentine's cards that kids give to each other in their classrooms. I looked closely and saw that almost all of the Valentine's Day cards were connected to a TV show (Dora the Explorer, Care Bears, Power Rangers, etc.). Not that this a novel idea....even when I was in elementary school Care Bears was all the rage, funny how things come back in style. Of course Valentine's Day is a hyped up commercialized event, but why should our kids buy and then help spread free advertisement for these TV shows? On top of parents already have to deal with buying all the tie-in stuff like toys, clothes, bed sheets...the list goes on.
I like how critical literacy helps find alternative solutions. Instead of buying into all of this consumerism around such commercial holidays like Valentine's Day, children can invent their own cards to give to their classmates. Or better yet make them for people who normally don't receive such greetings. Imagine all of the topics that can come out of looking closely at who is behind such a holiday. I am sure the possibilities are endless, especially by putting a bunch of young minds together. Don't get me wrong, I loved receiving those little envelopes with the cheesy messages when I was a kid, but the ones I do remember were especially made for me. You know the ones where the glitter fell on your lap and your name was spelled wrong, but hey, at least it was personalized!
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3 comments:
Having taken a class a while back and getting some exposure to critical literacy... it's an interesting way to view the world. I have found that I go through cycles of cynicism though when watching movies, reading newspapers, etc...
I definitely agree with your Valentines Day cards boycott!
-DOOM
A great example of an 'everyday text' to unpack from a critical literacy perspective! This is a great time to explore the history of valentine card giving...very interesting stuff.
thanks
vivian
I really liked you examples of the valentines day cards because they are such a relevant matter to students. I have heard of schools requiring students to make their own cards now to avoid the drama of what cartoon charachter students give of recieve in comparison to their peers. But homemade cards do also have that special apeal of they were made just for you which is a really nice sentiment.
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