Literacy in all its formslit·er·a·cynoun 1. the quality or state of being literate, especially the ability to read and write. 2. possession of education: to question someone's literacy. 3. a person's knowledge of a particular subject or field: to acquire computer literacy

Quantitative literacy

A person is considered to be literate when they can read at a certain level (i.e., 6th grade.)

Measured by a standardized test

Functional literacy

A person is considered literate when they can function within a predetermined context.

Context might include socioeconomics, race, gender, etc.

Humanistic Literacy

A person is literate when they become politicized. They are able to manipulate language to assert a self-identity.

Based on the work of Paulo Freire.

“Pedagogy of the Oppressed,” 1968

What types of literacy affect social studies teachers?

Traditional literacy – reading and writing Media literacy Computer literacy

http://www.ala.org/The American Library Association

Encourage reading in the social studies classroom

Assign books to go along with the material Reading aloud strategies – popcorn, reader’s theater Graphic Organizers Guided notes Textbook reading strategies

The History of Literacy

Cuneiform The minstrel – worked in a singing capacity

– ballads Literacy barriers for voting, signing

contracts

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/voting_literacy.html

vids

http://www.ted.com/talks/natalie_merchant_sings_old_poems_to_life.html

21st century literacy (8 min.)