“This marginalization and denial of educational opportunities is not restricted to this urban Appalachian population.  Rather, I see this study and the struggles and the dreams it reveals as an up close example of the devastation wrought by issues of class and power in all our schools and in all of the countries of the world…”

                I feel that this quote really speaks to the powerful message of the reading.  Viewing literacy as a cultural difference rather than as a deficit, as talked about in As Soon As She Opened Her Mouth, is difficult and something that had honestly never crossed my mind.  A child from another country who faces difficulty learning is usually easily recognized as an English Language Learner whose troubles stem from a difference in modes of communication, yet a child from a different socioeconomic status is typically labeled as uneducated and unable to learn. It’s sad to realize that you have held such preconceived notions and that these have been reflected in your own behavior.  It’s absolutely true that these children, despite a lack of exposure to reading and writing, have grown up believing that their lives have been full.  And the belief that this lack of exposure results in a permanent inability to comprehend the world of print is a devastating falsehood that teachers must work to overcome.  

1.  Literacy knowledge is a broad term that encompasses all levels of understanding regarding reading, writing, and the student’s world.  This can include those held by a toddler first beginning to understand that letters and printed words represent thoughts and ideas or first being exposed to a book that is read aloud to them, or a 14 year old boys thorough knowledge of a car engine inherited from years of working beside his father. Non-print literacy includes any way that information is presented besides text, such as images and movies or the above example of hands on experience. 

2.  Stereotypes, such as those we often hold for people of lesser affluence or of a different race, can dramatically affect teaching.  If inherent with our beliefs about poor people is the idea that they are incapable of reading and writing, we disregard their struggles with the subject and the child receives little to no extra support due to the fact that we expect him or her to fail with or without that support. 

3.    Schools and teachers contribute to poor literacy instruction by perpetuating these stereotypes and by teaching in a manner that reflects these beliefs.  If all students can be taught equitably and regardless of ability or background be treated as if they have potential, success rates of literacy instruction will inevitably increase. 

4.  Typically, we consider a person’s language to be a marker of their social class.  As a general rule, wealthier and more educated individuals are believed to have a more sophisticated manner of speaking than those living in or below poverty or those who have not attended formal schooling.  Too often, this audible brand worn by the speaker ties him or her to a life of disadvantage, especially in the educational setting where he or she will be viewed as hopeless and likely cast aside or pushed through without ever even being given a chance.   

5.  As discusses above, it is a common misconception to believe that a person’s language is an indication of their literacy abilities or potential. 

6.  There are many ways in which schools and teachers can improve literacy instruction.  First, it is important for them to realize that this instruction takes place in all subject matters and can be applied to all situations in the student’s life.  Doing so will make the information much more relevant to the child and hopefully easier to understand.  Second, it is vital that we work to remove our prejudices from practice as provide all students with equal access to education and resources.  Third, we must find ways to individualize the educational process so that it most appropriately caters to each child based on his or her unique background and capabilities to create an environment that is most conducive to their learning.

7. The term “proper English” denotes that there are then some forms which are “improper,” and that is the central conflict in this reading.  Labeling a person’s language as improper is akin to any other type of discrimination.  This is something that is disgraceful and disempowering regardless of the form in which it manifests.  

                I think this quote from the second reading, Tall Tales Of Appalachia, which argues against the creation of a television show titled “The Real Beverly Hillbillies” depicts this type of discrimination well.  “If a television network proposed a ''real life'' show treating poor African-Americans, Latinos, American Indians, Asians or Jews as curiosities, they, and all Americans of good will, would be justifiably outraged.”  Though the quote pertains to a different context, it can be applied to the school setting as well.  Some of our greatest moments in history are remembered as times when we overcame horrible acts of discrimination against huge groups of people.  Why are we continuing to allow it to happen to the poor?

                I chose the following video because I feel it does a nice job at illustrating how our background experiences and knowledge affect reading and content comprehension.  Also, it shows how a lack of certain background knowledge can interfere with understanding, an idea that is often overlooked when assessing a child's literacy level in the school setting.  

 

 Sources:

 Purcell Gates, V. (2002). As soon as she opened her mouth. In L. Delpit & J.K Dowdy (Eds.), In The skin that we speak: An anthology of essays on language culture and power.

O'Brien, J. (2003, May 10). Tall tales of appalachia. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/10/opinion/tall-tales-of-appalachia.html?src=pm

Video:  Willingham, D. (Producer) (2009). Teaching content is teaching reading [Web]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/RiP-ijdxqEc